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Submitted by jessy on Thu, 02/23/2023 - 12:19:PM

Denise died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loved ones, at the age of 75. Spouse, mother and adored grandmother, she was brilliant, caring and so kind.

Born on September 20, 1947, Denise grew up in Quebec City and Château-d’Eau. She was educated by Ursuline nuns, then at Saint-Jean-Eudes college, where she was one of the first young women admitted to its classical studies program. She obtained an M.A. in Art History from the University of Montreal. Denise then moved to Ottawa to teach at Algonquin College before pursuing a career at the National Gallery of Canada, where she was curator of modern Canadian art until her retirement in 2011.

At the Gallery, she organized the exhibitions The Crisis of Abstraction in Canada: The 1950s (1992), Prelude to Automatism (1994), Robert Murray: From Workshop to Factory (1999), Alex Colville: Milestones (2000), The 60s in Canada (2005), and the installation project combining indigenous and settler art known as Art of this Land. Denise’s work lives on in her acquisitions and publications, which represent a significant contribution to Canadian art history.

Over forty years ago, Denise met Murray Wilson and it was love at first sight. From their union were born their daughters Ariel and Alexandra. Together, they traveled across Canada, the United States and the world. Denise's broad interests ranged from politics to literature, from film to international cuisines.

Denise is survived by her husband Murray, her daughters Ariel and Alexandra, her son-in-law Marc, her grandchildren Evelyne and Félix, her brothers Jacques and Guy and their spouses. She also leaves her nephews and nieces from the Forgues, Leclerc and Wilson families, as well as other relatives and friends. Her mother Pauline Couture, her father Jules Leclerc, her sister Jacqueline Forgues (née Leclerc) and her brother-in-law Yvan Forgues predeceased her.

A celebration of life will be held in the Sacred Space of Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services on Friday, March 17 at 2 pm. The family will receive condolences at 1 pm. Those who wish to honor her memory can do so by making a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society.

                                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Denise est décédée paisiblement à la maison, entourée de ses proches, à l’âge de 75 ans. Conjointe, mère et grand-maman adorée, elle était brillante, attentionnée et d’une grande gentillesse.

Née le 20 septembre 1947, Denise grandit dans les villes de Québec et de Château-d’Eau. Éduquée auprès des Ursulines, elle poursuivit ses études au Collège Saint-Jean-Eudes, où elle fut une des deux premières jeunes filles admises au cours classique. Elle obtint une maîtrise en histoire de l’art à l’Université de Montréal. Elle déménagea à Ottawa pour enseigner au collège Algonquin avant de faire carrière au Musée des beaux-arts du Canada, où elle était conservatrice de l’art canadien moderne jusqu’à sa retraite en 2011.

Au musée, Denise organisa les expositions La crise de l’abstraction au Canada. Les années cinquante (1992), Prélude à l’automatisme (1994), Robert Murray. De l’atelier à l’usine (1999), Alex Colville. Jalons (2000) ainsi que Les années soixante au Canada (2005). Elle organisa aussi le projet d'installation mêlant art autochtone et colonisateur connu sous le nom d’Art d’ici. L’apport remarquable de Denise se perpétue dans ses acquisitions et publications, qui représentent une contribution significative à l'histoire de l'art au Canada.

Il y a plus de quarante ans, Denise rencontra Murray Wilson et ce fut le coup de foudre. De leur union sont nées leurs filles Ariel et Alexandra. Ensemble, ils voyagèrent à travers le Canada, les États-Unis et le monde. Les vastes intérêts de Denise variaient de la politique à la littérature, du cinéma à l’exploration des cuisines du monde.

Denise laisse dans le deuil son conjoint Murray, ses filles Ariel et Alexandra, son gendre Marc, ses petits-enfants Evelyne et Félix, ses frères Jacques et Guy et leurs conjointes. Elle laisse également ses neveux et nièces des familles Forgues, Leclerc et Wilson ainsi que d’autres parents et ami(e)s. Sa mère Pauline Couture, son père Jules Leclerc, sa sœur Jacqueline Forgues (née Leclerc) et son beau-frère Yvan Forgues sont décédés avant elle.

Une célébration de vie aura lieu dans l'Espace Sacré de Beechwood Services funéraires, cimetière et crémation vendredi, le 17 mars, à 14h. La famille recevra les condoléances à compter de 13h. Ceux qui veulent honorer sa mémoire peuvent le faire en faisant un don à la Société canadienne du cancer.

 

 

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/27/2023 - 04:14:PM

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Michel V. Cheff

Cher Murray, J'ai souvenir d'une Denise collègue, amie, vive, drôle, engageante ... invincible!
J'ai souvenir de vos discussions littéraires des plus dynamiques, voire enflammées. Et que dire de sa capacité de recherche, son entregent, sa diplomatie professionnelle, ... et bien sûr, sa fameuse "salade grecque"! En toute amitié! Michel

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/27/2023 - 06:36:PM

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sofia guay

So absolutely heartbroken over the loss of the beautiful, luminous, bubbly Denise whose eyes sparkled brighter than anyone’s I have ever met. I will always remember summers spent in Cape Cod, how Denise took me in like I was one of her own. And I will also always remember play dates at Wingate Drive, movie marathons and studying marathons intercut by the best snacks and meals in the company of Denise and Murray, whose lively and stimulating conversation always had me learning and growing. And I will never forget Denise’s strength - even when faced with a terminal illness, her grace, humour, positivity, and will to live fully every single minute were nothing short of awe-inspiring. I hope Denise and my own mom who adored her are catching up and watching over all of us with love and care.
My deepest condolences to Murray, Ariel and Alex - and all the people Denise touched. Her legacy lives on.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/01/2023 - 10:57:AM

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René Villeneuve

C'est avec tristesse que j'ai accueilli la nouvelle du décès de Denise. Durant vingt-cinq ans, j'ai eu le privilège de la côtoyer au quotidien au département d'art canadien du mbac. Il convient de saluer sa rigueur et son originalité de pensée, qui l'ont conduit à réaliser des expositions phares, qui constituent des jalons de l'histoire de l'art au pays. Ses installations ont contribué à la redécouverte de l'art de l'après-guerre aussi, les canadiens lui sont redevables d'un enrichissement exceptionel de la collection nationale.

J'ai apprécié la personne, généreuse et énergique; que dire de ce rire rafraîchissant. Discuter avec Denise fut toujours une sourced'inspiration, une occasion d'apprécier sa curiosité et sa haureur de vue. Chaque journée amenait une nouvelle théorie!

À sa famille qu'elle adorait, j'offre mes condoléances sincères.

René Villeneuve

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/01/2023 - 12:15:PM

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Claire Buteau

Mes plus sincères condoléances
Il n'est pas facile de laisser partir les personnes que l'on aime
Mes prières vous accompagnent

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/01/2023 - 02:01:PM

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Marie Leclerc

Adorable tante Denise, tu nous as quitté paisiblement mais je bercerai dans mon cœur de beaux souvenirs : les rencontres familiales, les échanges d’idées, ton dynamisme, ta passion de l’art, ta chaleureuse voix (nos chansons de voyage), ton goût d’aventures, ton grand amour pour Murray, Ariel et Alexandra ainsi que ton courage.
Mes sincères condoléances à Murray, Ariel et Alexandra et aux familles Leclerc, Wilson et Forgues en ce moment de grande tristesse.
Marie Leclerc

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/01/2023 - 02:45:PM

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Susan Walker

I had the great pleasure and privilege of working with Denise in her capacity as Curator of Modern Canadian Art at the NGC. Her warmth, effervescence, intelligence and her love for Canadian art created a lasting impression on a young conservator. The time spent working with Denise on preparations for The Crisis of Abstraction in Canada: the 1950s remains a most treasured professional memory.

I am so sorry to know that she has passed - far too soon for one so full of life and enthusiasm. With deepest condolences to her family and friends,

Susan Walker

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/01/2023 - 04:02:PM

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Susan McMaster

Denise was a lovely person and curator, and I was pleased to work as an editor on several books and projects with her at the Gallery. My warm sympathies.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/02/2023 - 12:33:AM

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Karen Oxorn

As an exhibition project manager at the National Gallery of Canada in the 1990s, I was very fortunate to have worked with Denise on a few of the exhibitions that she curated and organized, most particularly the 1999 exhibition "Robert Murray: The Factory As Studio". She was a consummate professional whose enthusiasm for and dedication to her work at the NGC as well as to the study and promotion of Canadian art in general were boundless. I benefitted greatly from my professional collaboration with her but also from the pleasure of her company at work with occasional conversations on many topics over the years. I will always remember how often those chats were coloured by Denise's special and infectious laughter. My sympathies to her family and friends and the many others whose lives she touched.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/02/2023 - 07:38:AM

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Lise Perreault Jones

Denise était et sera toujours dans mon cœur ma très grande amie. Elle était une femme brillante avec un merveilleux sens de l’humour, une femme courageuse, positive face à sa maladie et douée d’une très grande volonté. Denise sera manquée par tous , qu’elle repose en paix.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/02/2023 - 09:45:AM

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Steve & Cathy Vasseur

A visit to Ottawa will never be the same with the absence of your wonderful partner for life, Denise. We shared many good times and fine dinning together at your place along with some great conversations on everything from the arts to politics. We give our deepest sympathies to you Murray and your wonderful daughters, Ariel and Alexandra along with the Wilson family who we've been friends with since 1950. May you heal in the comfort of knowing how much she was loved and respected by us and someday we will all meet again.

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