Denise Ferry LaTourelle
Denise Ferry LaTourelle, known to her family and many friends as Dennie, courageously chose to end her life on January 20 after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Surrounded by loving family, Dennie passed away gently and with dignity, reminding all of us to remain connected. Those were her last words, and that was the message to the greater community as well: “We need one another”.
Born in Concord, New Hampshire in 1940, Dennie was the daughter of the late W.H. “Ping” Ferry and Jolyne G. Ferry. After High School in Briarcliff Manor, NY., and a brief stint in NYC taking ballet and acting classes, Dennie moved to Geneva, Switzerland where she lived and worked for many years. It was during those years that Dennie bought and renovated Lavender Hill Farm, a beautiful stone farmhouse in nearby Provence where she spent many happy summers, always surrounded by lavender, sunflowers, and adoring friends. In 1977, Dennie was drawn to the Scottish spiritual community of Findhorn. It was at Findhorn that it became clear to Dennie that her contribution to the world rested in helping people gain their emotional intelligence, learn to listen to one another and be guided by their inner spiritual voice.
Dennie will be fondly remembered by hundreds of grateful Santa Barbarans for her wise counsel, her teaching circles, her kindness and her deep spiritual beliefs. Through these remarkable encounters, Dennie has left an enduring legacy in the hearts and souls of all who knew her. She will be dearly missed.
Dennie is survived by her two sons, Jesse Meyerowitz of Eugene, Oregon and JJ LaTourelle of Tempe, Arizona, her two grandchildren Sasha and Skyler Meyerowitz, and her two sisters Fay Ferry Bisno (David Bisno) of Hanover NH and Santa Barbara, and Robin Ferry (Michael Butler) of Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada, and brother Lucian S. Ferry (Chantal), of Quebec, Canada, as well as beloved cousins, nieces and nephews around the world.
Donations in Dennie’s memory may be made to Hospice of Santa Barbara.