Denyse Yvette Clay

Denyse Yvette Clay, aged 69 (née Greener), died peacefully on the evening of March 23, 2018 in her home in Ventura, CA. Denyse was born on February 1, 1949 in Wanganui, New Zealand. She was one of six children.

Denyse attended high school in New Zealand and was an exceptional athlete participating in discus, shotput, long jump, high jump, running, swimming and diving earning many medals and setting many records. When she wasn’t competing on the sports field she was fencing and competed in college as well as appearing on television.

Denyse married at a young age and had one child, David.

After a short stint living in the Cook Islands, Denyse moved to the United States with her American husband Ralph Tello who predeceased her. She had always longed to live in the States. Here she was very successful in the banking industry. She loved moving up the corporate ladder and eventually becoming a Vice President overseeing operations of many branches. It was because of her profession that she later met John Clay, Sr. at the Rotary Club of Ventura. John and Denyse were married on June 5, 2005. He along with many friends and family affectionately called her “Kiwi”.

Nothing made Denyse happier and more proud than her family. Her son, David, and former wife, Sue, have two children, Campbell and Stella. Despite living so far away, she made it a point to have a close relationship with her grandchildren and her sisters in New Zealand and visited them once per year. On many trips to New Zealand she would make many side trips to Australia to maintain a strong relationship with her nephew Heath, who walked her down the aisle to marry John, his wife Hayley and their twin boys. She was to go back to New Zealand in May to attend Stella’s graduation, of which she was so proud.

As well, she loved painting, power-walking, and cycling. Recently she started acting and performing in tow plays in the community where she resided. She adored animals including her beloved Humphrey Bogart and cat Carmelo. Her love for animals led to a small dog and cat walking business helping out those in her neighborhood.

Denyse is survived by her husband, John Clay, Sr., her son, David, two grandchildren, four step children, five step grandchildren, four sisters and a number of other relatives and close friends.

There will be a celebration of life service at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, in Ventura, on Saturday, March 31, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. Following the service there will be a reception where lunch will be served at Ventura Marina Mobile Home Park in the Clubhouse.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, CA 93003. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.