Moya Denise Redwood

Denise passed at Toronto Western Hospital following a sudden onset of severe illness, preceded by a diagnosis of dementia many years ago. She is pre-deceased by her loving older brother, Anthony “Tony” Redwood. She is survived by Tony’s wife, their three daughters and grandchildren, and family and friends in Canada and Australia.

Denise began her life in Brisbane, Australia. She attended All Hallows, a leading Catholic school founded to educate girls. She was captain of the tennis team for two years, an accomplished pianist, and a voice student at the Conservatorium.

As children, Denise and Tony spent school holidays in northern Queensland with their aunt, Marie, her husband, Arthur, and their children. The love of Marie and Arthur was an immeasurable blessing for Denise and Tony, a love they were forever grateful for.

As a young woman, Denise studied advertising and worked as a media manager. She sailed from Australia in 1967 aboard a ship liner headed to Canada, stopping in places such as Singapore and Hong Kong before departing the ship in Los Angeles. With Gail and Marilyn, Denise set out on a “99 days for $99” Greyhound bus trip around the States. The last day’s ticket was used to travel to Toronto. Gail became a life-long friend. She shared with Denise a good-hearted nature and a curious intellect. After Gail retired, returning to Australia, their nightly phone call was the best part of Denise’s day.

Denise worked at Canadian Tire as an advertising manager and at the CBC as a Unit Manager. She then opened a bookstore in Cabbagetown. She loved being in the city. The opera, symphony, and the arts were essential to her as a woman of creativity and passion. And she adored her many cats.

Her family is grateful for the support Denise received from friends in her later years, and a special thank-you to the team at New Horizons for the care provided the last 5 years.

A service for Denise will be held on Saturday, November 15, at 12:30 pm at Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes.