Obituary of Carolyn Sarah Dengate

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Carolyn Sarah Dengate (nee Blayney), 60 of Port Stanley, ON on May 4, 2023, surrounded by family, after a long walk with cancer. Carolyn was born on July 21, 1962, to David and Elizabeth (McKinstry) Blayney in Belfast Northern Ireland. She immigrated to Canada in 1964, living in towns including Shedden, Otterville, and Meaford throughout her childhood. She moved to London to study nursing at Fanshawe College, a profession she lived and breathed until her retirement in 2021. She married Tim Dengate in 1989 and together they had three children of whom she was so proud. Her mind was rarely still, as she loved to read and talk about topics such as theology, philosophy and string theory – and the same was true of her hands, as she spent many hours knitting, gardening, and picking up sea glass along the Port Stanley beach. She loved animals and always had at least one pet living under her roof. To know her was to be changed by her and her ferocious joie de vivre. Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, David and Elizabeth. She is survived by her husband, Tim; her children Rachel (Brycen), Shannon (Shean), and James; her siblings Beth (Keith) Colvin and Andrew (Kathy) Blayney; and many more family and friends who love her deeply. The Family would like to extend their appreciation to the Palliative Care Outreach Team-PCOT, and to the staff at St Thomas Elgin General Hospital in the Complex Continuing Care – CCC Unit and on the 5th Floor who provided exceptional care to Carolyn. In keeping with Carolyn’s wishes, a cremation has already taken place and in lieu of a formal funeral service, a memorial gathering will be held May 31st from 5 to 8 PM at Wildflowers Farm, 42338 FruitRidge Line, St Thomas ON, where all are invited to come and share their memories of Carolyn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to either the Port Stanley Volunteer Gardners (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/port-stanley-gardeners) or the Hospice of Elgin’s Capital Campaign (https://www.elginhospice.com/campaign).