Help support the Mary Family - Dean’s Story

It is with deep sadness that we share the heart breaking news of Dean Mary’s passing. After a courageous battle with cancer, Dean passed away the morning of May 02nd, 2025.

Dean was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and devoted husband to Glenjorie and his two beautiful young children, Nathan (15) and Lauryn (2). Dean had a huge community of friends who loved him dearly and whose lives he has touched in so many ways.

During Dean’s final hours he spent them peacefully surrounded by his immediate family, where he was able to thank them and tell them how much he loved them. He took his last breath lying beside Nathan and holding hands with Glenjorie.

When this GoFundMe me was started in December 2024, your overwhelming generosity helped the family while Glenjorie was on compassionate leave to take care of Dean. Now with his very sad passing, it has left an unimaginable void in the lives of his family and created another significant financial stress during the already heart breaking time. I am asking once more for your support to help the Mary family as they navigate through this painful transition and the final expenses of Dean’s passing. Your prayers, love and contribution, no matter the size will be greatly appreciated and will help the Mary family significantly.

On behalf of the Mary and Jimenez family, I would like to thank the Health Science Centre staff for their gentle, caring and upbeat personalities that made it easier for Dean and the family to be at the hospital. I’d like to thank the families and friends that have helped throughout Dean’s journey and their continuous kindness and support. You will not be forgotten.

To Dean: We will truly miss your presence, the way you lit up the room with your beautiful smile and your contagious laughter. But what you will always be remembered for, is how much love and happiness you showed to your family and friends. You brought each and every one of us together and created a strong bond and a community. We wouldn’t have been connected without you.

Posted on December 07, 2024:

This is the Mary Family, Glenjorie, her husband Dean and their two wonderful children Nathan and Lauryn.

I have been close friends with the family since the beginning. If you know the Mary Family, they never ask for anything, if anything, they give, they are big on helping other families with food donation, blood donations, they have volunteered for Operation Red-nose; making sure people get home safely, they are well known in their church community and their neighbourhood and they are always there for their friends and family.

If you know Dean, he is very kind and optimistic, he will make you laugh when life seems a little stressful, and he loves to bring people together. He is very big on Cycling; what once was a small group of friends became a large community as he welcomes new friends, family and neighbours to join. Dean is also a consistent blood donor. He was very passionate about it and encouraged other to donate as well. Without Dean donating blood, Glenjorie and Dean would have never had thought to get his blood checked.

Dean was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia back in November 2018

From his first diagnosis until late of 2022, he was on oral medication which became no longer effective. In November 2023 Dean did a stem cell transplant where his own sister was a perfect match. Dean fought through the process and was able to come home after 3 weeks in the hospital. Dean continued his recovery with his family at home.

The hardest part of the 3 weeks for the Mary Family was leaving Dean at the hospital every night knowing he can’t come home yet and be in the presence of his family. It never got easier. However, his wife Glenjorie was comforted knowing that he was in good hands of the nurses and staff of the hospital.

What did this mean for the Mary Family? It meant that they would have to distance themselves from big crowds, especially during the Christmas holidays, New Years and other big celebrations. The Mary Family had to be careful of their surroundings and to stay healthy because Dean’s immune system was low

From then on and throughout the summer of 2024, the Mary Family enjoyed every second as Deans recovery was going so well. Dean felt great and was working towards a healthier version of himself. The Mary family was able to gather around family and friends again.

In July of 2024, the Mary Family found out that Dean’s Cancer started creeping back through Dean’s blood work. During the last week of August, Dean’s right eye started to become irritated and red. The family went to see the optometrist when Dean mentioned that his vision was becoming blurry. After a few days, his eyes became swollen and got worse each day. Dean was referred to an Ophthalmologist and worked together with dean’s Oncologist in getting his diagnosis. After undergoing all blood test, MRI, CT scan and eye biopsy, the test confirmed that Dean was growing a Myeloid Sarcoma (tumour) and other masses was found in other organs.

All of the tests happened within a short period of two weeks, Dean was admitted right away for Chemotherapy.

In November 2024, Dean was admitted for a second stem cell transplant, this time around it has been a lot harder, Dean has become a little weaker, and is losing weight a lot quicker, Glenjorie has been there for him day in and day out while continuing to stay strong for Dean, for herself and for her children.

I am forever thankful for this family and all that they have given, and my hope is to give back the amount of love they have given to the community, their friends and their family. The Mary’s journey took a pause but life has to continue. My hope is to provide the Mary Family with some relief and freedom to focus on Deans health and living each day to the fullest without the additional burden of financial concerns. Asking for help is never easy, especially during this time. Any contribution, big or small will be greatly appreciated.I know it will mean a lot for the Mary Family.

Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity.