Dena Marie Ayres

Dena was born in Redmond Oregon to parents Robert “Butch” Ayres and Patricia Jean Ayres (Hill). Dena lived in Madras as a child and attended school there through the 7th grade when she moved to the Portland area to be with her Mother. Dena worked odd jobs in her teen years, most notably as a line cook at the Marriott Hotel in Downtown Portland. Soon after, she moved to the Salem area.

Dena was fond of animals, particularly cats and horses but her passion was dancing and music, especially Rock and Roll. Elton John was her all time favorite but she could also bend your ear for hours talking about Peter Frampton, Van Halen and Led Zeppelin, which were among the many she loved, which are too numerous to list.

Miss Ayres is survived by her father, of Madras, and her brother, Robert of Portland. She was preceded in death by her Mother and Grandmother, “Babe” whom she had a very close bond with.

The family wishes to acknowledge Dena’s friends and staff of the Marion County Mental Health Psychiatric Crisis Center, especially that of Lynn and Kim and all past and current professional personnel with their outstanding care and assistance with Dena through the many years she spent in and around the Salem area.

A celebration of life will be held at 11a.m. on January 7th, 2011 at the Culver Nazarene Church, 600 3rd Ave. in Culver Oregon, with a potluck to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Psychiatric Crisis Center of the Marion County Mental Health Dept.----1118 Oak St. S.E., Salem Or. 97301 (Attn. Ann Marie), or the Oregon Humane Society.

Arrangements by Howell Edwards Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Home