CORNWALL, Ontario – The inaugural Elizabeth Denis Memorial Basketball Tournament will be hosted jointly by St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School and Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School this weekend. The tournament will be held on September 15th and 16th for both Junior and Senior female division athletes. All proceeds will support a bursary in Elizabeth’s name at each of the high schools.
Elizabeth was a major contributor to the Panthers basketball team in grade 9 and later for the Falcons where she played from grade 10-12. Her basketball accomplishments are numerous at Holy Trinity; she scored the first basket at the newly built high school, she was the first captain of the girls’ basketball team and was the first MVP. She not only succeeded on the court but also in the Holy Trinity’s Arts Department. Elizabeth eventually became a music teacher through her passion for the arts that was honed during her time at Holy Trinity. Her bursary will encompass both areas of her success with the chosen students being a standout athlete and a contributor to the arts.
Although never a smoker, Denis was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer in April 2015 while pregnant with her first child and was given the grim prognosis of one year. She battled her cancer courageously and was able to give birth to her newborn son, Jack. Elizabeth’s health blog “From Lizzies Lungs” brought much needed awareness and education to the devastating effects of lung cancer. Elizabeth touched the lives of thousands around the world through her blog and will never be forgotten. She passed away in February 2017 and will be remembered as a wonderful person.
The basketball tournament is open to the public with games occurring from 2pm to 6:30 pm on Friday the 15th and from 9am-4:30pm on Saturday the 16th at both sites. Holy Trinity will host the junior finals at 4:30 pm on Saturday while the senior final will be held at the same time at St. Joseph’s. A canteen will be available on Friday at both schools with all proceeds supporting the bursary.
Holy Trinity and St Joseph’s are very appreciative of all generous donations received during the tournament to honor the memory of a very impressive woman who led an extraordinary life in 27 short years.
