Constance Marie Denison

Constance Marie (Stephenson) Denison was born April 12, 1949 in Detroit, and passed from this life on July 11, 2022 after a short stay in hospice due to lung cancer. She was lovingly cared for and supported in her final weeks by her son David and his wife Katie as well as devoted nursing and support staff.

Constance was the youngest of 3 children born to Leo and Charlotte Stephenson who raised their children mostly on the East side. Connie (as she was called) attended and graduated from GP (“South”) HS in 1968. She pursued a career in medicine. First receiving an LPN degree and then a RN from the Harper School of Nursing. Her real interest was not in the physical realm of human health/illness but in the workings of the mind. She worked first at Lafayette Clinic in Detroit and then moved to the Psychiatric Unit at Cottage Hospital in Grosse Pointe in 1974. It was there that she met her future husband Mark and ended up working on the same Team together.

Throughout her career, she served in multiple Team Leader and Head Nurse positions. She was highly respected by all the disciplines (psychiatric, psychology and social work) and often had key insights to patient functioning that helped facilitate emotional healing. In 1991 she had her son David, who was born March 15, 1991.

David was the apple of her eye and she was dedicated to being an amazing mother. Over the years, David’s many friends experienced the compassion, generosity and sense of adventure that Connie loved sharing with them, as the Denison household was a frequent gathering place for “The Boys” to hang out. She was a Mom to many. She was a great organizer and made sure everyone was taken care of. This made her a perfect host, not only because of her planning and attention to details but because of her natural warmth and desire to make sure everyone was feeling welcome.

She loved to dance and was an excellent dancer; when she danced it was hard for others to remain in their seats. She loved to read, garden and cook, and was both interested in and capable of discussing an array of diverse topics. She also loved to laugh and her unique laughter extended an invitation to those around her to be genuine themselves and enjoy the fun. Health issues (emphysema) interfered with some of her activities but she continued courageously to embrace life as best she could.

Connie adored her daughter-in-law Katie. She and David married in May, 2015. Connie and Katie shared a very special relationship. Connie would always say that David & Katie were the greatest joys of her life. She loved her brother (Tom), sister (Sandra), sister-in-law (Kathy) and Aunt (Mary), and felt especially close to her nieces (Sarah, Tricia and Kristie) and nephew (Tom).

An overriding theme for Connie in her engaging with life was a commitment to be classy. To be curious, to say the right word, to adopt the right attitude, to offer the right perspective in the service of the unfolding moment. To express and extend grace to those around her; as a comfort and as a gift. While Connie was always her greatest critique, everyone would agree she only ever embodied love, grace and class.

Memorial gathering will be held Thursday, July 14th from 5-8 PM at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods.

Family will receive friends Friday, July 15th starting at 9:30 am until Memorial Mass 10 am at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 467 Fairford, Grosse Pointe Woods.