Charalene Louise Denton (Lyons)
Born in Qunicy, MA. she was predeceased by two children in infancy, mother Marion Louse Lyons and father Gordon Lyons Jr. She is survived by her husband of 53 years Dwight Denton, son Dominic and wife Anita, grandson Caleb; sisters Marilyn, Pamela and Robin and brother Gordon Lyons III.
Charalene moved from the Boston area to marry Dwight in Inuvik, NWT. They were married in the chapel at Stringer Hall, an aboriginal student residence. Later moving to Yellowknife and then Fort Smith, NWT. She was a member of the first, graduating teachers class of Thebacha College. Then Drayton Valley, AB where she immediately got involved in the community and was elected to the Parkland County School board. After moving to Fort MacMurray she worked at the Keyano Theatre and tutored students in Mathematics and English. She served on the vestry of the Anglican Church for a number of years and as treasurer, converted the accounting system from manual to computerized. After living in the north for so long, she often used to joke we were one of the few families that moved south to Fort McMurray.
As an award-winning artist, singer, musician and photographer, her artwork has been shown in galleries all over Alberta including McMullen Gallery at the U of A, Mitchell Gallery at Grant MacEwan University, Edmonton Art Gallery and the Alberta Gallery, and the Ukrainian Cultural Village who commissioned her various character studies.
She sang in 2 choirs in Fort Smith, NWT and 2 choral groups in Edmonton and taught herself to play the organ as well as the guitar. She played the guitar and led singing at Scouts Canada camps.
Her photography won many awards over the years and she was proud to have been chosen to be in the foyer for the gala reopening of the World Trade Centre.
Her writing, both prose and poetry, appeared in various magazines as well as in the Vinyl Café series. She also did artwork for magazine covers and illustrated works for other writers. One of her proudest moments was when her work was chosen to be in the Omnibus of Canadian Poets of the 20th century.
She entered various county cooking bench shows and never placed lower than 3rd for her baking and her jelly took best of show once in the preserves section.
In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to her charity, Hope Mission.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
Serenity Funeral Service – Fort Saskatchewan – 780-992-1422
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Charalene Louise Denton October 28 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Edmonton, Province: Alberta