Mary Denise Austin

1954 - 2022

Mary 'Denise' Austin was a loving and inspirational mother (Kris Austin) and nana (Kyla Austin, Elizabeth Austin, India Rollo, and London Rollo), Denise is also survived by her sister Allana Yoshy (Robert), brother Gavin Leonard, her partner David Deol, and his daughter Lisa Deol Rollo (Mathew), plus many other beloved family and friends. Predeceased by her parents Denis Leonard and Laurette Hall, older brother Michael John Leonard, and her infant son Jason Sean. She passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on the early morning of October 26, 2022, at the age of 68 years old.

Denise was born in New Westminster, BC in 1954 and spent her early childhood growing up in OK Falls until her family moved to Kamloops in 1964. She led a successful hotel management career which led her to Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, and Sun Peaks Resort where her heart was fondest until retiring in Kamloops.

Denise was filled with wonderlust, she loved to travel, and experienced many trips that took her over most of the planet. She will always be remembered as a devoted family woman and a passionate leader with a zeal for life. Her bright blue eyes and vibrant smile would light up anywhere she was, and her loving nature will never be forgotten. She will be dearly missed by all those who loved her.

In ieu of flowers, please make donations to The Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home in Kamloops BC on her behalf. A bursary in her name at Thompson Rivers University will be set up to benefit single mothers in the hospitality program.

"We have mourned enough…
We are not what has been lost.
We are not what has been taken.
If we do not cherish what remains,
We will become as nothing…
We are not broken…
We are each as whole as we will ever be again.
In the end, when we cease to be
We will all become memories."