Denice Lucille Hebner

Denice Lucille Hebner, 63, passed away in her home on a sunny morning, October 4th, 2023. She was surrounded by loving family members as she had wished. Denice is survived by her husband Dennis Hebner, brother Robert Gordon, sister Anna Gray, son Jesse Hebner, daughter Jennifer Clark. Grandchildren Austin Hebner, Tiana Hebner, Tayla Hebner, Kayla Krueger, Gabe Hebner, Kelden Clark, and Kamron Clark. She is preceded in death by her parents Melvin and Delores Gordon, and her son Dennis S. Hebner.

Denice was born September 19, 1960 to Melvin and Delores Gordon in Spokane WA. She was raised with her brother Bobby and her sister Anna. She spent much of her youth being close with aunts, uncles and cousins. Family trips and camping with family friends were among her enjoyments. Denice met Dennis M. Hebner in 1975 in Spokane, WA through their younger sisters, who were friends. The sisters' matchmaking shenanigans brought the couple together. They dated for 2 years before getting married on August 27, 1977 at the Hitching Post in Coeur d'Alene, ID. They lived in Spokane and had three great children, Lil' Dennis, Jesse, and Jennifer. In 1987 Dennis got a job offer he couldn't refuse so they moved to Pinehurst, ID. They remained in Idaho until another job transfer led the family to Yakima, WA in 1995.

Though she wouldn’t admit this, raising children was a destiny she was made for. She grew up early as one fiercely independent woman does. She helped look after her younger cousins and siblings growing up. She had her first born baby boy while she was still young herself. She would often say there is no shame in having kids early, it just means you are young enough to still go play when they leave the nest. However, she never minded keeping her nest full. When her first born son called to announce the delivery of the first grandchild, ol’ Lead Foot Lucy made it to Spokane in record time. She wouldn’t have missed it for the world. When her next two grandchildren were in need of a safe, reliable, full time guardian she did not hesitate to step in. Any alternative was never considered, and she proudly raised them as her own. She was by her daughter’s side through every second of her pregnancy and the delivery of her first child. As more grandchildren came along, she made them all feel special in their own way. Little nicknames for each of them. She paid notice to all their interests and encouraged their growth.

Denice was a master crafter. When her children were young, she set up Santa’s workshop in the basement. She sewed Barbie clothes, made grand quilts and built stuffed animals for all the children. She continued to learn new skills through life. She took a few painting courses and painted very beautiful landscapes. Her art tied into her other interests in nature. She was in tune with earthly elements and colors. She looked for rocks and gemstones everywhere she went. She later took a jewelry making courses and was pleased by sharing her work with others. She proudly purchased a fine sewing machine and enjoyed doing patchwork for friends in the motorcycle community. As her always busy hands became weak, she found excitement in her fun little games like Farmville as she was still able to build and create.

Caring for people was part of her identity. She worked as a nursing assistant caring for the elderly andvulnerable. She found a passion in that and chose to pursue an education to earn her first nursing degree. After completing an LPN program at North Idaho college, she took her first nursing job in Yakima at a convalescent home. This patient population took to her with such ease and appreciation. They loved her smile, her jokes. They loved her kindness. They always felt comfortable with her as she had a shining ability to make them feel less isolated. She made them feel heard and remembered. Most of all, they loved her warm hands. Each morning she greeted the residents in her unit, she slowed and touched their hands. They all smiled brightly back at her. They would comment on her warmth. She would respond with a mischievous laugh and say “warm hands, cold cold heart”. They would always laugh in response as it was so far from the truth.

She was dedicated to her work and she wanted to continue to support the patient community she cared so much for. She strapped on a backpack and returned to school to further her education. She attended advanced physiology classes at YVC and earned her AAS in an LPN to RN program. She even joined her daughter in college courses. They bonded further as they studied anatomy and physiology together. She was an inspiration to her daughter and others.

She went back to work as a charge nurse, again supporting those she believed needed her the most. Sheformed friendships among her coworkers with such flair. Denice was a person who was immediately taken into the hearts of others. She was a supportive friend and honored those around her by being the strength in hard times, and making people smile in any circumstance. She was an empathetic woman. She was without judgment. She was a protector. She held silent when people needed to be heard, then was the first to lend a warm hand and say “this too shall pass”.

She finally left the skilled nursing facility and moved in a direction that served her purpose. A very specifically skilled position that is not for every nurse. She knew where she was needed. She became a home Hospice nurse. Her compassionate nature touched the last moments of life for those she cared for. She was committed to honoring the wishes of the dying and supported their families through the hardest time of their lives. She did not believe in suffering or pain. She saw beauty in the final rest occurring at home with one’s favorite pillow, family at bedside, and music in the air.

She left her vessel on a sunny October morning in her own comfortable home with her family holding her still warm hands. Her family supported by the very same hospice care and nurses who called her their friend. A sadness did spread like a crashing wave as her candle faded because she had touched so many. The bold wind of the evening into the early morning calmed. Then the sun warmed the air for days to come and matched the warmth of her hands. She was telling her loving family that she is at peace.

She believed in magic. She believed in trusting the universe. She believed that life comes full circle. She believed that being a good person is really the most important part of being connected to spirituality and to the universe. She was an old soul, as she would put it. She is among the stars and flowing in the energy that she always knew she belonged to.