Denise Marie Nanke (nee Lussier)
elevated uq3gj February 4, 1934 – October 23, 2024
elevated uq3gj Visitation
Monday, October 28, 2024 from 4:00 – 8:00 pm
Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
elevated uq3gj Tuesday, October 29, 2024 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
elevated uq3gj Funeral Mass
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home – Chapel of St. Joseph
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
elevated uq3gj Click here to view the mass.
elevated uq3gj Interment
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery – Section 19
elevated uq3gj Reception to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
elevated uq3gj Obituary
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Oma and Grande Oma, Denise Marie, at Markham Stouffville Hospital on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 90 years of age.
elevated uq3gj Beloved wife of the late Ferdinand Nanke, devoted mother to Nicole (David) Bokor, Norbert Nanke, Monika (Robert) Epstein, Karin (Jody) Sikora. Adoring Oma to Tyson, Emmanuel, Jason, Sierra, Jayde, Logan and Hailey. Special Grande Oma to Kaiden, Inara, Brooks and Domenic. Loved by numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Raymond Lussier and Leah Marie (nee Regnier), nine brothers and three sisters whom she has missed dearly and who have now welcomed her home.
elevated uq3gj Denise was born on February 4, 1934 in Marcelin, Saskatchewan. Denise was the twelfth of thirteen children, born into a large Catholic French Canadian family; a heritage and tradition that Denise exemplified and enjoyed throughout her life. Denise was the last surviving child of Raymond and Leah and was cherished by the extended family as the matriarch. A role she was honoured to hold.
elevated uq3gj Denise grew up in Long Branch, Etobicoke, and attended the local Christ the King Roman Catholic School. As a young woman, Denise loved the big band and dance vibe at the Palace Pier Ballroom on Lakeshore Boulevard West, where she would go often with her friends and where one day her life was changed forever. She locked eyes with the most handsome man she had ever seen, and so began the love story of Fred and Denise. They married on August 5, 1961 at Christ the King Church in her hometown of Long Branch and their love story lasted 40 years until the passing of her beloved Fred.
elevated uq3gj The last two years wherein Denise was being cared for in her home, there was a large portrait of Fred by her bed, and upon retiring for the evening she would blow a kiss to him and say, “good night my honey”. She never stopped loving or missing him.
elevated uq3gj In her twenties Denise enjoyed working at Allstate Insurance using her bilingual skills in the accounting department and many years later at Sears where she retired twenty-five years later as a bilingual payroll manager. After marrying her love and having a young family to provide for, Fred and Denise became owners of Modern Trend Variety store and later owned the Tropic Sun Fruit and Nut store on the concourse level of the Yonge and Eglinton Centre. Alongside her husband, they worked very hard and were so proud to send their children to the private Toronto Waldorf School to provide them a good education with both their German and French nationalities represented. No matter how hectic life was with four children under the age of ten and a business to help run, Denise always made sure special events were just that, special. Birthday parties, Christmas and Easter celebrations were magical. Making Halloween costumes with her mother Leah who would sew them on her Singer sewing machine were always fun and a highlight for her.
elevated uq3gj Denise was as devoted and dedicated to her husband and children as she was to her Catholic faith. A faith she shared generously with all those she loved. Attending Sunday mass every week and making sure her children received all the Catholic sacraments. She felt confident she had fulfilled her duties to God.
elevated uq3gj As a devout Catholic, Denise had a great devotion to Jesus, Mary and Joseph. After her beloved husbands passing, Denise found her strength and comfort attending the Latin Mass, receiving the Blessed Sacrament and socializing and sharing her faith with her friends and family. Denise will be remembered for her joyful, kind and gentle soul, commitment to her faith and family, and is now the Guardian Angel to all of us who have loved her and have been very blessed to have known her.
elevated uq3gj Denise was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend who left an incredible legacy of strength through faith. She never wavered in her most trying times and has finally reached her well-earned resting place she had been preparing for her whole life.
elevated uq3gj Let us rejoice that Jesus has brought Denise home to be with her beloved Ferdinand, her parents, brothers and sisters, and her many faithful friends.
elevated uq3gj Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
elevated uq3gj In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Lawrence Martyr Church in Denise’s name or masses said in her memory will be appreciated by the family.
elevated uq3gj
Beautiful good Mother
Always in our ♥
Best of Mothers
Loving wife
Faithful daughter of the
Catholic Church ⛪
Nicole, David, Jason & Shania, Sierra & Will and Jade & Adam,
We are so sorry to hear of your most beloved Mom, Mother-in-law and Grandmother’s passing.
Sending you all much love and hugs through this very difficult time.
Our beautiful Oma, you will forever be in our hearts ❤️
Mrs. Nanke was.such a big part of my childhood growing up with her daughter Nicole. She was such a hardworking person who never took the easy road. She instilled this gift to her children along with kindness and generosity of spirit. I am sad to hear of her passing but her family can take comfort in remembering that she knew she was going to a better place. She is now in God’s loving arms and will undoubtedly be one of His devout helpers in Heaven. 🙏
This is so beautiful
Thank you my friend
She was exactly all these things
Thanks for remembering her ❤️
Remembering a beautiful aunt.
Thank you Rolande for those kind words and thoughts ❤ 🙏
Dear Nicole, David and families,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great grandmother.
I do recall meeting her a few times over the years and she was a lovely lady.
May you cherish your wonderful memories of her and may she rest in peace.
Sending our deepest condolences.
Marcie and Jeff Albert
Dear Nicole, David and Family.
My deepest condolences in the loss of your mother.
Her smile, her laugh, her special way
Will be with you each and every day
In your thoughts and in your heart she will always stay
We love you and we will miss you forever ❤️
Heartfelt Thoughts and prayers for a favourite loving Aunt…. A life well lived ❤️🙏🏼to be much missed
Thank you Raymond for those kind words and thoughts ♥ 🙏
Loving thoughts and prayers for my lovely and faithful Aunt Denise… a life well lived 🙏🏼💐😃Much missed as she was family favourite 😪
May Mrs Nanke’s memory serve as a blessing for all who loved her.
Mrs Nanke showed me what loving a family looks like. This beautiful,
strong, Christian lady was a solid foundation to me in many my younger years. I will treasure my memories with her, always.
Nicole and Family – your mother was a beautiful gift to all. She was always smiling, kind and so caring to those around her. I will miss seeing her at events but knowing she is with your father and at peace brings me solace. You all are a testament to a wonderfully loving mother and family. Sending our love and prayers to all of you.
Dear Karin and Family.
Anthony and I would like to express our sincerest condolences for your mother’s passing. May she rest in peace.
My dearest Nicole, Norbert, Moni, Karin and the rest of the family I am so sorry for your loss.
I was truly blessed to have known her for twenty five years and I will miss her.
Psalm 46:1 says that God is our refuse and strength,a very present help in trouble.
May the Lord strengthen you all at this time.❤️🙏
Thank you so much Loriann for sharing your heartfelt memories. Love you my dear friend. Karin
Thank you so much Anna and Anthony for your kind condolences.
Dear Moni, Rob, Nicole, Norbert, Karin & family. Denise was a warm, kind, caring, gentle, classy lady! She was a loving mom & grandmother! She will be missed by many! Sending our love and condolences from Dean, Linda, Daniel & Nicolas Avery. Rest in peace lady Denise. XO
Dearest Karin, Jody, Logan and Hailey, Thinking of you and sending love during this heartbreaking time. Your wonderful mother and grandmother is celebrated by all those who love her deeply, and those of us who knew her not nearly enough, but enough to know what a very special woman she was and how she made this world a better place. I will remember her fondly as a kindhearted woman, with a warm and welcoming smile, whose children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. May Denise’s memory be eternal.🙏💞
Dear Nicole David and families,
We are so very sorry for the loss of your beloved mother. Denise was a lovely woman. May her memory be a blessing to you all always. Rest in Peace.
Love Debbie Steve and Noella
Denise Nanke was one of the most loving and faithful women I have known in my life.
She was a virtuous and noble matriarch and the kind of woman that anchors a family in God and in community.
The world is a better place for having been graced with her steady and unrelenting love.
Irene Hoensch
Dear Norbert,
Sincere thought are with you during this time of sorrow.
My deepest condolences to you and your family for the loss of your mom.
May the memories of your loved one bring you peace, strength and comfort. May she rest in peace.
Dear Frau Hoensch,
Thank you for your kind words and sentiments.
I am happy to remember the times you and your dearly departed Felix got together with Denise and her dearly departed Ferdinand.
Your mom Nicole, was a sweet and dedicated woman to all she believed in, family , faith and her country.
Remember her when you look at your hands , your face , your life. May it all remind you of her essence, now and into tomorrow.
Dear Nicole and David, Norbert, Moni and Rob, Karin and Jody and each and all of your family members,
My Sentiments
As a Caregiver and Companion to and for Denise, the development of a genuine friendship with respect, trust and love, was unlike any other.
A welcoming smile, gracious poise and an unassuming presence were constant.
Each day with your Mother was always a new journey, without expectation.
However, each and every day was always a new experience, whether joyful, fun, crazy, carefree or challenging. In whatever direction the day proceeded, there was understanding, insight, humour, consistent revelations about many and much, and countless ‘aha’ moments.
Enjoyment, laughter and tears were equally shared.
My many memories and photos of Denise and the family are everlasting.
I share my love, peace, strength and comfort, as your Mother embarks on yet another beautiful journey.
Maureen Harrison
💖🌹
Dear Maureen thank you for your kind words in memory of our beloved mother.
Your friendship and dedication to Denise helped her very much and is well remembered.
May your memories give you consolation and joy.
God bless
Nicole, I have very fond memories of both your Mom and Dad and spent many wonderful times at your house years back during our high school days at St Joseph’s Morrow Park and recall the many times we would visit them at their fruit and nut store. Of course we never came out empty handed. Thinking of you and your family during this sad time.