Elinor Denise (Burnside) Blakely

BLAKELY, (Elinor) Denise (nee Burnside)- Sept 29, 1935 - Nov 22, 2017 It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved mother Denise (Elinor) Blakely (nee Burnside) on Nov 22, 2017 in Kingston, Ontario. Denise was born in Toronto, and moved to Kingston with her mother and brother while in her teens. It was in Kingston that she met and married the love of her life, Jack (John) Blakely, who passed in 1992. She was the loving daughter of Robert and Arletta Burnside. Denise was loved and cherished by her four children: Greg (Linda), Julie (Ed), Stuart (Shannon), Robert (Rachel), and was the proud and loving grandmother to Ashley (Scott), Brooklin, Jenna (Thomas), Wade, Jessica, Ande and Jackson. She is also survived by her brother Bob Burnside. Sadly, our mother passed just before the imminent birth of her first great-grandchild. Denise was an immense source of comfort to her children, and she will be greatly missed by both family and friends alike. Our mom thoroughly loved life, and enjoyed spending time both at home and the family cottage with family and friends. She was incredibly fond of animals, big or small, and was quite happy to spoil the cats and dogs whenever she was asked to “babysit” her children’s pets over the years. Denise was a joker at heart, and loved playing practical jokes on her loved ones and spreading laughter around her. She was a kind, giving and gentle soul who made friends easily and could always bring comfort and joy to those around her. While she will no longer be by our side, she created and left us all with lasting memories that we will cherish. Denise will forever be in the hearts of all those who were fortunate enough to cross paths with her. We know that she will now rest in peace up in heaven, reunited with Dad/Grandpa, playing Skipbo, enjoying butter tarts and watching Old Yeller and Black Beauty. In lieu of flowers, the family will happily accept donations to her favourite causes: The Kingston Humane Society/SPCA, Frontenac Community Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Labatt Heart Centre at Sick Kids Hospital (Toronto). On Monday, December 4, Denise’s family will gather for a visitation (10:30am to noon) at Cooke’s Portsmouth United Church (200 Norman Rogers Drive, Kingston), and the funeral service and reception will follow immediately after.

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