Denise Marie Roe, 79, of Clare MI, passed away on November 4, 2022 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Denise was born on July 5, 1943 to Esther and Joe Rose in Cambridge, MA.
She married John Arthur Roe in 1962, and the couple went on to have four children, John, Paul, Carol and Susan. Denise worked for 25 years as a teacher’s aide at Cambridge Elementary School in Orange, CA, where she was loved by teachers and students alike. She had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening, reading, and her craft projects. Following her retirement and move to Michigan she was an active volunteer at the local hospital and her church. After being widowed she was fortunate enough to find love a second time, and Keith Merillat and his family were an important part of her later years. Despite her declining health she remained a positive, upbeat person who never failed to have a word of encouragement for family and friends. Her generous and independent spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Denise was predeceased by her parents, her sister Pauline, and her husband. She is survived by her brother Robert and all her children along with seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Denise was a member of Our Lady of Hope Parish – St. Cecilia Site in Clare. A memorial service will be held at a future date to enable all of the children to attend. The family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Pere Marquette District Library in Clare, or to St Jude Children’s Hospital. Arrangements were handled by the Clare Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be left at www.stephenson-wyman.com