Denise "Dennie" Dussault

Denise Adrienne Dussault was born a special needs child to June and Edward Dussault in Missoula, MT, March 21, 1939. Dennie was the first of a long line of girls, six to be exact. She died at Riverside Health Care on August 25th of natural causes.
Contrary to common practice at the time of her birth, Dennie never saw the inside of an institution. Rather, she was an integral part of her family and community her entire life.
Since there were no special educational programs in Missoula, at the age of six Dennie was enrolled at St. Mary of Providence School for exceptional children in Des Plaines, IL. For seven years she attended during the academic year, returning home on holidays and summers to spend time with her family on Spruce Street. In 1955, June, Eddie and a small group of other Missoula parents established the Opportunity School for children with developmental disabilities. This later evolved into Opportunity Workshop, now known as Opportunity Resources, Inc. Dennie was finally able to attend school at home in Missoula. Her teachers reported that she "excelled in neatness, music, and playground: not so well in attentiveness and co-operation".
Father George Dumais, S.J., established L'Arche (The Arc) Group Home for women in 1974. After living at home for 35 years Dennie moved to the group home and became an active member of the L'Arche community. She remained involved in Opportunity School, Big Bear Resources and was a Charter Member of the Opportunity Resources Senior Team in which she participated until her death. Bowling, delivering Meals on Wheels, and Out to Lunch were among her favorite activities. She was a member of St Francis Xavier Parish her entire life.
Due to increasing physical limitations, Dennie needed assisted living and her home became Riverside Health Care. The staff of Riverside have been her extended family for 17 years. She was their "un-official" lobby greeter and hall monitor and often attended morning staffing because they had doughnuts. And when staff wasn't looking, or so she thought, she would sneak into the commissary and filch a Coke. If residents needed help, or if she observed one of them doing something unsafe (or something she didn't like) she found a way to communicate that to the staff!
As a nephew wrote about her life, he said; "She taught me much about life: Compassion, as each one of us has adversity of some form. Acceptance of our own constraints. Fulfillment, no matter our abilities. Perhaps, most important, love".
Dennie loved babies, puppies, birds, "bling", music, stickers, Coke, her etch-a-sketch, and having Adrienne do her nails. She laughed lots and loved much. She adored her immediate and extended families, and they felt the same about her.
Dennie was preceded in death by her father and mother; many dear aunts, uncles, and cousins; and wonderful friends from the special needs community.
She is lovingly remembered by her sisters: Edine (Jim) Loran, Ann Mary Dussault (Diane Sands), Suzette Dussault, Adrienne Dussault, and Jeanne Dussault (Ray Geyer), sister/cousin Judy (Steve) Boldizar and brother/cousin Mike (Mary) Hamlin; her nieces and nephews: Jamey (Romy) Loran, Todd (Denise) Loran, Joel (Andrea) Loran, Cara (Kyle) Hutchins, Julio Morales III, Karel Morales, and Meredith McDonald; and her grandnieces and nephews: Sarah Loran, Emilie, Erik, and Ellen Loran; Jacob and Ava Loran; Lucy, Lauren, and Lyla Hutchins; Julio, Marcelo and Diego Morales; numerous cousins, and all who knew her.
Please join the family in a Celebration of Life Mass at St Anthony's Catholic Church on Monday, September 8th at 11 a.m. Celebrant will be Fr. Dumais S.J., and special music will be provided by the VSA (Very Special Arts) choir. In keeping with Dennie's style, please wear bright colors and lots of "bling!" A luncheon will follow in St Anthony Parish Hall. We thank the parish of St Anthony's for their accommodation of our family and our friends with mobility needs.
A private family inurnment will be held.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the loving staff at Riverside Health Care and to Partners in Home Care Hospice for their assistance in making her last hours sacred, surrounded by love and community.
In Dennie's name, memorials may be made to Opportunity Resources, Inc., or a charity of choice.

Read Denise "Dennie" Dussault's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.