Andrew Watt Art and Irene Playford

Andrew Watt A photo of Denese playing by the water in Edmonton in about 1967. An old photo that has an x next to Denese

Andrew Watt Denese’s little Brother David, rocking the bow tie and I reckon looking across at his big sister Denese who would have been grinning ❤️

Andrew Watt A photo of Denese taken in Canada before travelling to Australia in 1972

Ros Watt Photos sent to us from Canada in the early 70’s

Sue Stan-Bishop October 1973. Denise and David at Jane Shaw and Ken Rowe's wedding

Andrew Watt Denese playing violin for Aunty Melva and Uncle John In about 1976

Andrew Watt Denese and Uncle John at 48 Vincent St

Lil Watt Denese, Irene and David at the Watt house

Andrew Watt Pretty happy with an art book as a 21 birthday present from Aunty Melva and Uncle John

Alison H We did it!

Alison H Beautiful boat trip on the Hawkesbury River, Sydney.

Hadassah Morrissey Friends for life. Karen Crossley wedding in Perth WA. Denese was Karen's Maid of Honor

Jeff Johnston Denese ready for the road - Perth 1989

Jeff Johnston Denese and Jeff in London in 1990

Julie Smout

Tanu Robbins Denese and I met at a summer camp near Montreal in 1993. She was my sunshine. I will miss her warm smile and tight hugs.

Lisa Calverley Room mates! Denese and I were pointing to my move in date on the calendar. She was kind enough to give me lodging, which I desperately needed to find, even though she technically wasn't looking for a room mate. She was an amazing room mate to me - she gave me guidance in many areas of my life and we also had fun! I would come home to her blaring her classical music with the windows wide open in the middle of a freezing Montreal winter. And I still remember our tiny aqua colored tub and the long trek up the hill and then up our staircase! But what a view!

Winona Montgomery I first met Denese when I visited my sister, Lisa Calverley, at their apartment at the edge of Mont Royale in Montreal. When I asked about her work, Denese told me that although the findings that come out of research are exciting, the daily work of tending to her lab snails was lonely and tedious. “Snails don’t say much” she laughed. She was already contemplating a career change.

Jeff Johnston Miami Neuroscience Convention 1994

Jeff Johnston Denese - French New Wave Look - Maybe Montreal in the 1990s

Lisa Calverley Written on the back of the photo on the right was a note that said it was taken, "at the end of a particularly silly council meeting at St. Stephen's (Church)". This was sent to me after I'd moved back to B.C. and she was still living in Montreal. She signed it off, "with heaps of love to you".

Ros Watt In 1996 I spent 10 days in Montreal with Denese. We had lots of fun exploring and catching up. These pictures are of her and I being silly on my bed, her friends Jill and Heather and Denese and I in her kitchen in the flat in Montreal.

Lisa Calverley First photo at bottom was taken at Regent College Arts Festival '97 (with my family)in which Denese came to watch me dance. I believe this was just before she moved to Vancouver, when she was checking out the Regent program. We went to Granville Island (Market), then we went to Quadra Island to visit my parents and we had a lovely time walking the beach and renting a 2 seater bike that we biked from one side of the island to the other (I think she did more of the work than me!!). She was one of the family!

Lisa Calverley Denese moved to Vancouver to go to Regent College and we were room mates once again (briefly) while she found a place to live. First photo is of the 3 room mates (at Wendy's place) going to fancy tea. Second 2 photos are Christmas '98, she came up to Quadra with Martin and I (now husband, then fiance) to spend Christmas. The second bottom photo is of us (at the Assu's in Cape Mudge) holding up Denese's leg to show her crazy tights! Did any of you ever remember her crazy tights? Last photo is of us kayaking at Granville Island (Vancouver). On the back she wrote, "look, we have no necks"!!

Douglas McKinnie Denese came (all the way from Vancouver, where she was then living) to act as my 'best man' as I married Monica. Within weeks of moving to Montréal in '91 I found myself using my station-wagon to help a friend-of-a-friend, also a new immigrant, pick up a pallet of her possessions that had been shipped from Australia. In this trip to the airport freight depot, I met my new best friend. When the neuroscience research contract that Denese was working on at the hospital ended, Denese was hoping to find an equivalent research or teaching position in Montreal, and living for a while on savings while she shared a flat with Jill and Heather. In this time she ended up having lots of appointments for coffee with people in our church and wider circle, people that needed someone to talk to. I could see that her availability-as-a-listener was life-saving for some and life-enhancing for many. I knew there were many of us who saw the extreme value of what she was doing, and wished there was a way we could chip in and make a salary for Denese to meet with people and listen — her impact would be enormous!. Not to diminish at all the impact Denese had in people’s lives after that time, at Regent and back in academia, of course..

Lisa Calverley Pictures 1- Denese was one of my bridesmaids at my wedding. I have many, many more photos of her during this time since she was so involved in my wedding festivities - she went to my engagement party, stag boat cruise, and ceramic painting party, etc. She is pictured with my nephew as she was helping make wedding favors. Her fondness for children is evident in my photos. Picture 2- With Mary Ellen, bridesmaids and Regent students. Picture 3- At my 30th birthday party (cheesecake made by Martin). Picture 4 - Biking and hiking on Bowen Island. Lower photo is of her hugging the ground! Love it! Picture 5- one last latte! She would come over for our homemade latte's, so here she was having one last latte before moving back to Australia.

Winona Montgomery Denese was quickly absorbed into our community when she moved to Vancouver to attend Regent Theological College. As I look at photos (many that Lisa has posted here) I realize she met and mingled with more people from our family and social circle than I remembered. She fit in seamlessly. She was invited to outings, celebrations, and frequent dinners. She showed up to help whenever some one had a need, for example babysitting my 2 year old son (seen in the photos with her making wedding favours for my sister’s wedding). She had to live very frugally as a poor theology student, but she would thank people for giving her a ride or a place to stay by offering a service (babysitting,…). Once I let someone who came to visit her for a few days stay at my home (a man, was it David?of Jeff?) while I was away. To thank me she cooked a flavourful vegetarian meal of rice and lentils. Strong black tea always reminds me of Denese. She told me that in the lean years growing up in Australia she believed her mother survived on strong tea when there wasn’t enough money for food. She said there was always a pot of tea on the stove growing up. Denese brewed it in a pot like her mother until the water was black like coffee. My British grandmother liked strong tea, but not as strong as Denese. I never would have guessed that she was tormented by past abuse and low self-worth. She smiled, laughed and shared her wise advice constantly in the years I was around her. She appeared so strong, full of life and ready for adventure. My sister kept me updated on Denese’ activities after she moved back to Australia. We prayed for Denese after her bike-car collisions. Concussion alone can adversely alter the brain: change personality and sometimes result in chronic pain. I know a man who suffers from depression and chronic ringing in his ears following a bike-car collision, also not his first. The Will Smith movie, Concussion, opened my eyes to the tragic repercussions of repeated concussions. I so appreciated the “unofficial” memorial Zoom this past week. I learned so much more about Denese’s life before and after the time that I knew her. It was helpful to learn the details leading to her death in order to better understand. I want to acknowledge how exhausting, physically and emotionally, it must have been for David, Jenny, Beth and others I did not meet in the immediate family. 5 hours is a long time to be online at the end of the day, but it allowed us Canadians to participate in our early morning. Thank you. Denese will be greatly missed. All who met her were fortunate. With a heavy heart, Winona Montgomery (née Calverley)

Lisa Calverley I think this was in 2000? It was sent to me after she moved back to Australia. The back of the photo said she was living in a "donger" and the fridge reminded her of our fridge on Pine Ave. in Montreal.

Beryl Schairer I’m going to miss Denese. We loved to catch up every so often over the years. She was an inspiration , loving, kind and always had something good and fascinating to say. My mum and hers were best friends from school days, so I caught up with her since childhood. Rest in peace, sweet friend and I’m looking forward to hear you laugh again in heaven.

Lil Watt Lil and Ivan’s wedding

Lisa Calverley Denese came back to Vancouver in 2002 (a conference or visit?) after the birth of my first baby (Mika). I remember during my pregnancy that she had been worried about the birth, like a concerned older sister! I was in my painting clothes here, as she caught me when I was helping renovate our suite.

Yellowknife Coordinator In late October, I flew to Melbourne for a conference. Denese and I then hooked up in Sydney before I flew back home to Canada. She flew all the way from West Australia to meet me. On Sunday, we shared our last meal and decided to splurge for a large brunch at a local restaurant served by a young Canadian waiter on a work visa! We stuffed our faces and could hardly move, Then....Denese had planned a home visit with a Middle Eastern friend literally within the hour. It was supposed to be a quick greet and meet. Alas it did not turn this way. Typical of his custom, he had prepared an extensive feast. Being of East Indian origin , it would have been a great insult not to eat. We sampled each dish with agony as our stuffed bellies grew even more painfully filled. As he went each time to the kitchen, we would giggle and grab a Kleenex and wrap some food and shove it into Denese's ever expanding purse. Finally the last dish was Turkish delight and it felt like that itty bitty wafer in Monty Python's Meaning of Life. We almost gagged it down and then waddled out of the home of our gracious host like Antarctic penguins. We laughed so hard..... Just wanted to share this one funny memory, Love Kami Kandola from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

J. Lie. A wonderful friend

Lisa Calverley A surprise visit to Alberta from Denese in 2006, after the birth of my second child. This was the last time I saw Denese in person, though we phoned and wrote. I had planned to visit her Australia one day.

Rob Whitehead Perhaps my favourite photo of Denese, holding my daughter Emmaline when she was only a day old. Both of these amazing humans just look so content. A truly peaceful moment. Goodnight Denese, my friend and colleague for the past 16 years. I miss you terribly.

Campbell Murdoch I had the honour of appointing Denese to her position in the Rural Clinical School and worked with her until our departure from Western Australia in 2009. She made a great contribution to the success of the School and had established a national and international reputation for scholarship and publication in rural and remote medical education. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues, students and friends. This was taken with myself and Katy Templeman at the presentation of the Carrick Award in Canberra.

Campbell Murdoch Denese in full flight- small woman, large contribution.

Campbell Murdoch No she has not been arrested! This was taken at the ICEMAN conference in Sudbury Ontario, one of the sites of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Campbell Murdoch Title of a paper given at a WONCA conference in Seattle in 2006. She used the term Bush University which I have used often and will continue to remind me of her contribution.

Heather Sansom Road trip, nature, exercise, hours of intense conversation. Denese was always up for it: she had enough life force to tire a regular person out. Denese, your candle burned out too early. :(

Wendy Cavilla I first met Denese when I was working for the Rural Clinical School in Broome. She helped us think deeply about academic issues, looking at them in different ways and was such a good friend and mentor. She was my teacher when I completed the graduate certificate in rural and remote medicine, and a cherished colleague. My last memory of Denise is seeing her in the urban RCSWA office - she was so friendly and welcoming and dropped everything to chat and help with my query. She was always deeply interested in how others are doing, provided a great listening ear and was full of deep insights and challenging questions. She will be greatly missed. "The Lord will bless His people with peace." Psalm 29:11

Julie Smout happy memories after going to a chinese restaurant in Northbridge

J. Lie. Our kids loved her, always so joyful...

Heather Sansom Denese's visit to Montreal. She injured her wrist skating on pond ice in Parc Lafontaine but the trip was otherwise usual: jam-packed schedule of tea and visits with everyone she knew.

Max Kamien I always enjoyed meeting with Denese-lively and intelligent. And I could just keep up with her on a bicycle. We met up every few years when Denese would tell me the latest advances or research from the Rural Clinical School. She worked in Perth and in Albany all in the one week. She seemed to be energised by the diversity. We were due for another catch up in March to congratulate her on becoming a full professor. But it was not to be. She had a fine mind, an infectious and enthusiastic personality and a gift of friendship. She will long be missed.

Jeff Johnston Picnic with Denese and her broken ankle in Toodyay on the last day of 2010

J. Lie. Denese was a wonderful travel guide; showing us the beauty of WA.

Oraya Sutabutr May we meet again, Denese Playford. Wherever you are, I’m sure you’re smiling, enjoying a cup of tea and a peaceful, quiet time as always. I’m so glad you came to Sukhothai (Thailand) with us and that we went to visit you in Perth some years ago. Even though we lost touch for some time after Montreal, we managed to reunite in Perth and it was like we never lost touch at all. I will always treasure your sensitivity and thoughtfulness in everything that you do or say. I will miss you dearly. May your soul be in eternal peace.

Ann Nguyen Denese spoke to my school that she would like to join the table of academics at my Flinders University to witness and celebrate my graduation day. This was one of many beautiful things that Denese did for me.

Ann Nguyen Denese, my dad and I walked on the street in Adelaide after the graduation ceremony

Ann Nguyen Denese came to my graduation ceremony in Adelaide

Ann Nguyen Love you Denese. You were my shoulder, my rock.

Ann Nguyen Denese and I visited Jacob Creek winery, Adelaide

Ann Nguyen Denese and Ray went to Adelaide for my graduation ceremony.

Ann Nguyen A lunch with my uncle's family after the graduation ceremony

Julie Smout Dear good friend Denese, may you rest in peace.

Holly Vo Photo of Denese, my Mum and my first child. Denese visited me when I had my first child. I am forever grateful that I have got to know Denese in my life. Denese had always been there and offered me guidance whenever I needed support. Most of all, the lessons of love, kindness, and generosity that I have learned from Denese will forever be with me.

Heather Sansom Another whirlwind visit with Denese in Montreal (this time with my niece and nephew), visiting places with so many memories: Atwater market, location of many coffees over many years. The Mountain, location of much cycling, skiing, picnicking, walking, talking. Places and spaces that will forever remind of Denese. We all have them. Words of comfort recently shared with me: "may your friend be welcomed and met with a love so much deeper than we can ever know. And may your friendship together over the many years continue to bring you deep comfort..." As it was Denese's hope to leave what does not matter in pursuit of eternal life, may her sparkle in your life continue to warm and inspire.

bahareh Fayyaz Happy to have loved you. Happy to have been loved by you.

Heather Sansom Below a quote from an email from Denese just after Christmas 2013, sounding very much like a 'typical day in the life' : "I appreciated family but was glad to get back to my little sanctuary of a home. Spent yesterday morning with homeless and disenfranchised at the Christian Centre for Social Justice. Today I had a glorious three hour prayer time. Then jog and a bit of cooking. A bit of reading. Now getting ready to take a picnic hamper to movies under the stars. " Photo: Denese's study at the house she bought in Perth 2015: objects representing her passionate life of the mind: work desk where she wrote papers into late at night; her theology and poetry books; figures she sculpted.

Ninh Ha Our trip to Dalwallinu in wildflower season 2016

bahareh Fayyaz My dear Denese, one of a kind, someone who I could not imagine life without her friendship.

Ninh Ha Denese's birthday at home

Heather Sansom Photo D sent me of herself accepting an academic award on behalf of a colleague. This will have to symbolize the many awards she received for her life's work that she was so passionate about in making rural medicine more accessible through service learning. To think of it, Denese has never once in about 30 years indicated having a photo of herself being awarded or accomplishing. I have so many more photos of things enjoyed with Denese, than of Denese herself. It was her way: to stay out of the spotlight, and to allow people she cared about to take photos of her because of our need to remember, or hers to remember us, but not her need to be in a photo.

Hadassah Morrissey A special and treasured photo of D at my wedding. A very rare photo as she was busy making my day special. Such a generous and humble friend.

Hadassah Morrissey Denese at Pagoda the week before I tied the knot in 2017.

Heather Sansom Photo sent by Denese from her trip in Cambodia 2017 12. From 80-100km biking trips in Quebec in 1993, to chasing Denese through the streets on bikes in Canada and Australia, it seems apt to remember her passion for cycling.

Jeff Johnston Denese Autumn Christchurch NZ 2018 with Ninh

Heather Sansom I just shared the text of a talk Denese gave to a group. She sent me the text of her talk. In it, she gives an overview of her life and how she became passionate about helping people in need, and why she was so self-effacing. She uses lower-case 'i' for herself.

bahareh Fayyaz Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.

Yenjung Lee Somers Wild flowers in the Midwest WA. Travel well my friend.

Ann Nguyen Denese visited me in Adelaide and sat at the backyard.

Lil Watt Family gathering

J. Lie. One of our last pictures with Denese... a wonderful, always generous friend of everyone in our family.

bahareh Fayyaz My dear Denese you will be greatly missed

Heather Sansom Memorable Margaret River trip: we snuck over barbed wire fences to walk in a herd (pod? group?) of kangaroo. Being Canadian I was clueless of dangers. Maybe Denese thought she'd better stick close for first aid. It was a signature of Denese I remember most: this 'you only live once' approach to time with friends.

Heather Sansom

Ann Nguyen A lovely lunch at an exotic place where it has international cuisines of many countries in Mayland, Perth. Denese always found interesting and secretive things!

Ninh Ha Denese with me on my graduation <3

Hadassah Morrissey Special and treasured time with a dear friend

bahareh Fayyaz My dear Denese, I look forward to see you again,

Sandra Brennan A recent photo of Denese, seated at UWA in her office. Doing what she loved. Rest In Peace. The RCSWA Urban Office.

Jeff Johnston Denese, Jeff and Martines scarf - Mends St Jetty, South Perth - 18 June 2021

Holly Vo Denese joined us to celebrate Ninh’s baby shower <3

Dee Clinch D thank you for always being there for me and the girls . We were blessed to have you in our lives. I’m gonna miss you and our chats and the guidance you would always give me. Thank you for your love , kindness and friendship xx RIP angel

Hadassah Morrissey I share a treasured msg I received from Denese, as I remember a dear friend, mentor and mother figure. Regardless of her own trials she never gave it a second thought to reach out. Denese there are no words to describe the many memories we have shared together. You have left an incredible legacy and I rest in the knowledge that you are at peace.

Heather Sansom Photo shows some memorable times in Canada, as well as one of Denese's last cards to me, sent randomly in a thoughtful post-pack all the way from Australia, with the postage costing more than the contents. Remembering her generosity, kindness, and love.

Heather Sansom Some beautiful words of condolence and a prayer/poem to a person lost by suicide, shared by a chaplain colleague in response to Denese's death.

Ros Watt Obits from Saturday’s West

Heather Sansom Song for Denese written by a Canadian friend.

Heather Sansom Short eulogies by Canadian friends, met in Montreal in the 1990s, now spread across the country.

J.P. Mortier Denese, We met in another century, another millennia And yet, it wasn’t so long ago, ….That we shared friendship That we shared good times and good weather Even in the coldest Canadian winter. You warmed us with your generosity Your intellect and your humor And your sense of justice ….You were one of us. At first, you were a friend of a friend But quickly, you became much more. Once, in a car ride through the night of New England, Thoughts were shared, stories got listened. We got to know each other by the time we arrived in Boston. But as we all know too well, life does not stand still Paths get separated, our own lives to fulfill. …..We lost touch. Through the desolate desert of distance And the tyranny of time Across a Sargasso of southern seas, We led separate lives. And now ……worst of all…. The desperate finality of Death …..denies your presence among us. What else can we say? What can we do? We will miss you. Death is like a car ride in a moonless night A dark passage with no signposts A veil that blinds all sight… Except…. Except for a distant light A sun that resides deep in our hearts Where all your family. All your friends. And all those whose life you have touched will find warmth. Where it’s peaceful. Where it’s cozy. A sun you will have created. When we resume our paths and times get busy Days misguide our gaze through society’s maze We may lose our connection ….But we know that something, someone or someplace …. Will remind us of you. And all of a sudden…. …We will be happy. Happy to have known you. Happy to have loved you. Happy to have been loved by you. Good bye, Denese Your friend, J.P.

bahareh Fayyaz Happy Birthday to one of those people in my life, who hold the same priority as my family. Happy Birthday in heaven, dear Denese.