Early in the morning of Wednesday, December the 18th, 2024, Denise Patricia Sherman, nee Moore, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Sechelt Hospital, just shy of her 84th birthday. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Jan Michael, and her daughter, Samantha Nicole of Vashon Island, WA. She also leaves behind her younger sister Lynda, loving brother Thomas, and her BFF, Mary-Jane Moore. She will be sorely missed by her beautiful Golden Retriever, Juniper, and her two cats, C.H. Luke and C.J. Dupree.
After her rewarding career as a medical assistant in Los Angeles spanning close to two decades, Denise and Michael emigrated to the Sunshine Coast in May of 1990. Settling into their dream home atop a cliff overlooking Sunshine Bay in Halfmoon Bay, Denise loved the soothing sounds of the tidal movements, the smell of the sea, and especially relished a good storm during the winters.
Denise co-owned the most popular consignment store on the coast, The Gypsy Trader. Located in the heart of Sechelt, her store was not just a spot to get a new outfit, it was a friendly place to gather, have a coffee and solve the world’s problems…anchored by Denise’s open and welcoming personality along with her forthright opinions.
Her lifelong love of animals, particularly cats (she had 9 at her peak), led to years of volunteering for the Sunshine Coast chapter of the BC SPCA, where she organized countless fundraising events and ultimately became Vice-Chair of the local board.
Denise was an avid reader and long-time member of a neighborhood women’s book club, where they actually read the books! Gardening was another passion of hers; a meditative practice where she took special pleasure from working the earth with her hands.
Hers was a life well-lived, during which she effected positive change in the world, one person or animal at a time. Her friends will cherish the memory of her vibrant character, infectious laugh, rock-ribbed ethical beliefs and, above all, indomitable spirit.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to either: https://spca.bc.ca/locations/sunshine-coast/ or https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en.
