Denise Jeanne Willson

She is survived by her aunts, Muriel Drill and Ruth Bederski; her brother Frank (Nancy) her husband Ray, their children Sean (Nancy), Jim, Meghan, and Eileen and her beloved grandchildren: Kady, Liam, Donovan, Shea, Avelina, Owen, Mackenzie and Zachary as well as a long list of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Denise and Ray were married in 1972 at the beginning of their 28-year career in the Air Force. While the Air Force moved them only 7 times, Ray’s jobs entailed numerous temporary duty assignments and a yearlong tour in South Korea. During these many absences, Denise ran the household, getting the children to school and activities, preparing them for their future successes with her steadfast and loving support.

Denise was an excellent cook and baker. Her children often woke to the tantalizing smell of freshly baked muffins or came home to the comforting aroma of spaghetti sauce simmering gently in a large pot. Her cookies, muffins, and quick breads were always welcomed at school and team events and by her children’s friends. She freely shared her recipes with family and friends, becoming a go-to source for baking tips. She was always ready to try new recipes, over time adding a bit of herself to each of them.

Denise’s talents extended to a variety of arts and crafts. She learned sewing, knitting and crocheting from her mother. She added counted cross-stitch, pottery and painting to her repertoire. Her expertise, patience, and attention to detail are evident in each of the many works she produced.

Denise enjoyed doing arts and crafts with young children. Whether the craft involved paper, fabric, ribbon, glue, glitter, paint, or crayons, she was all in. Her smiles were matched only by those of the children she worked with.

Of all her many roles, none gave her more pleasure than that of Grandma. Her greeting was a wide smile and a firm hug. Whether reading to them, playing their games or letting them make creative messes, Grandma thoroughly enjoyed their exuberance. As they grew, Denise shared her wisdom with gentleness and love.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 24 at St Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax, VA followed by interment at the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico.