Denise Sturmwind

Denise Marla Barer Sturmwind

Born: August 25, 1952 in Trail, B.C.

Died: September 20, 2023

Plot: Row Q – Plot 3b

Biography:
Denise was an artist. Denise’s career began as a photographer and moved onto mixed media. Her work has been exhibited in many West Coast galleries and fine art shows including the Sooke Fine Art Show (the largest juried show on Vancouver Island.) Many private and corporate collections throughout North America include some of Denise’s pieces.

An obituary for her was published in the Times Colonist 5-7 April 2024 and reads as follows:
Denise passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends.

Shortly after her birth in Trail B.C., her family moved to Victoria B.C. where she lived most of her life, except for a four year hiatus while she studied at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. There she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, then graduated from dental hygiene. While in Edmonton, she met and married her husband [edited for privacy], to whom she was married for 51 years until the time of her passing.

Denise lived her life fully and passionately. Her attention to detail and precision served her well in her career as a dental hygienist, skills that she later applied to her volunteer work, photography and art.

Her creative abilities set her journeying through several creative adventures. Using natural materials, she created exquisite baskets from pine needles, seaweed, bark and branches. Later, photography captured her eye and she went on to study with several master photographers. Her photographs were accepted into the juried Sooke Fine Arts show, where she also enjoyed volunteering. More recently she explored mixed media art. She especially loved creating playful ‘sidewalk crack critters’ and other whimsical creatures, delighting those who viewed them. Her imagination and talent knew no bounds.

Denise loved nature and was a committed environmentalist. Going for a walk in the forest with her was a ‘nature meditation’: a stop to examine licorice fern populating a rock wall, or mushrooms just off the path, or observe a bird circling a tree trunk looking for a meal. Her environmental commitment was also reflected in her choice of volunteer work. She spent many years as a volunteer in various capacities at Swan Lake and Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. She especially enjoyed being a Nature Ambassador, meeting visitors on the trail, answering their questions and directing them to points of interest they may have missed. She loved the forests and ocean and enjoyed kayaking along the shores of Sooke basin where she could commune with curious otters and seals.

Denise loved volunteering at Victoria Hospice where, through her deep compassion, quiet presence, and excellent listening skills, she helped support people in their grieving process.

Denise was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She is sorely missed by her husband [edited for privacy], son [edited for privacy], grandchildren [edited for privacy], brothers [edited for privacy] and other family members and friends.

Parents:
Aileen Eleanor Gordon Barer (1928-2010)
Ralph David Barer (1922-2004)

Spouse:
Dr. Jack Sturmwind

Child:
Noam Sturmwind