Deniece always had a wonderful positive attitude
Remembered as a ‘kind, caring person’
DENIECE Joy Dean (nee Hawton) was born on September 24, 1944, at the Toowoomba Hospital.
Deniece is survived by her older siblings, Val and Noel, and by her younger brothers Rob, Geoff and Wayne; having lost her younger brother Lester at age 15, and her older brother Reg in October 2011.
She lived most of her young life at Pinevale, a dairy farm at Jandowae.
As a girl, Deniece rode a bike the two-and-a-half miles to the local Langlands school which she attended from 1952 to 1959.
She went to Jandowae once a week for domestic science, sewing and cooking classes and major sports days were held in Jandowae.
Deniece had happy memories of life on the farm and treasured time spent outdoors.
As a young person, she loved riding horses and playing tennis.
In 1964 she married Jimmy Wheeldon and they worked on a succession of dairy farms.
Their first son, Wayne James, was born in 1965, but sadly died at 15 months of age.
Their second son, Garry James, was born in November 1967.
In 1969 Deniece became a single mother and began working in the Oakey Hospital laundry.
She eventually transferred to the Baillie Henderson Hospital in Toowoomba.
Deniece enjoyed going to dances, and at the 1971-72 New Year’s Eve dance at the Middle Ridge Hall, she met Harold William Dean.
They married on October 28, 1972, and made their family home in a railway cottage in Southbrook.
In 1974, while living at Southbrook, Karen Joy was born.
The family moved to Gowrie Junction at the end of that year, and Lynette Fay was born in 1976.
In 1984, Harry and Deniece finally bought their own block of land and built their own home in Oakey.
Deniece was always a keen gardener and, no matter what house she lived in, there was always a well-tended garden.
In retirement, Deniece and Harry had a wonderful time travelling.
They loved country music, and attended many music festivals and country performances.
They enjoyed outings with the Toowoomba City Seniors and the Oakey branch of TOMnet (The Older Men’s Network).
Deniece recently rejoined the CWA and enjoyed making new friends.
When asked how she would like to be remembered, Deniece replied, “a kind, caring person”.
She always had such a positive outlook and will be remembered as an inspirational person with a beautiful soul.
Deniece died at St Andrew’s Hospital on Sunday, March 26, this year.