Denise Bernadette Donahue

Denise Bernadette Donahue, 39, beloved daughter of David and Bonnie Donahue, was born June 5, 1976, at St. James Hospital in Butte. She passed away Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, at Community Medical Center in Missoula.

Denise attended Missoula area schools and Loyola Sacred Heart High School, graduating in 1994. Denise played the flute and piccolo in the band. She was a varsity cheerleader and a member of the volleyball squad. Later, she attended the University of Montana and was a big supporter of the Lady Griz sports teams.

Recently, Denise was promoted to office manager of Justice Court, Missoula County. Judge Karen Orzeck said, "Denise worked for many, many years in Justice Court. She did the work of at least two people with her typing speed and organizational skills. Her service on the Missoula County Employees Council was so very important to our county family. She, with her county coworkers, planned the County Picnic, Valentine's Day baskets, Thanksgiving and Christmas raffles as well as a myriad of retirement parties. We often joked that she was the Energizer bunny with too much Mountain Dew on board! She was a devoted public servant who was always helpful and kind to the public and treated every single person, whether judge, plaintiff or defendant, with respect and dignity. She will be so missed by her coworkers and friends."

Denise worked several extra jobs over her working career. She worked part time for the Missoula Maulers and Garden of Readin.

She was a member of the Sons of Norway, where she enjoyed the craft of rosemaling. She was an active member of Christian Life Center in Missoula. An avid sports enthusiast, Denise participated in Wild Run Missoula, a half marathon, and numerous indoor and outdoor activities and hobbies. She enjoyed traveling coast to coast visiting family, friends, and exploring America. Denise was a devoted cat lover. Her cats were her "kids."

Denise was a "social butterfly" her entire life and seized every day, making life an adventure! Her smile and bubbly nature, generosity of spirit will live in our memories forever. After her father's passing, she was blessed by the guidance, spiritual support and friendship of Don Morman and Dennis Donahue.

She was preceded in death by her father, David Donahue; grandparents, Franklin and Barbara Donahue, and grandfather Roy Burditt; aunt, Patricia Dunn; uncles, William Burditt and Tim Donahue; and cousins, Katie Donahue, Chris Anderson and Niles Brush.

Denise is survived by her mother Bonnie Donahue; brothers, Daren (Gretchen) Donahue and children, and Cameron Donahue; grandmother, Margaret Burditt; aunts, Bette Jeanne (Ray) Brush, Barbara Jo (Gregg) Biggers, Judith Daire, Mary Anne Schneider, Carol (Dwight) Andrews, Katheryn (Mark) Malley; uncle, Dennis Donahue, and numerous cousins, as well as many friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Christian Life Center, 3801 S. Russell St. Officiating the service are Pastor Jim Hicks and Pastor Dave Phillips. A reception will immediately follow.

Thank you, Denise, for lighting up our lives! So very many will miss you; and we will cherish your memory and smile.
Read Denise Donahue's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.