In the early 1990s, Denise and I resumed a friendship that we’d  never  begun — technically impossible, but not a barrier at all for someone who loved life as she did. We were both working at the Press-Telegram, Denise in advertising, me in editorial. She looked familiar to me, and I finally told her so. We figured out that our “connection “ was one year we attended Bellflower High—she a senior, me a freshman. On that thin foundation we constructed a friendship. It was wonderful, mostly quick, joking exchanges as we passed in the halls, sometimes longer talks at one of our desks. One year she baked me a birthday cake.  She often joked about how lucky I was to be a freshman “dating” a senior and she took that theme to it’s extreme when her high school reunion rolled around — inviting me to be her date. It was an evening I’ve always cherished. We slowly lost touch after I left the  paper. I occasionally tried to reach her, but not as hard as I should have. But I made reconnecting one of my resolution for 2023, in January sending some messages saying so. No response. And a few weeks later, I got the news she was gone. But that’s all I know, no cause of death, nothing of what she’d been doing the past quarter-century … besides smiling. I bet she did a lot of smiling. I hope so. And her smile was contagious. I’m smiling now, although through some tears.  Thank you, Denise.

My dear Denice, thank you for bringing so much laughter & joy to my life. When I first met you while working at the Press Telegram I was always amazed at your fearless approach to life. You left us with many hysterical memories from your Roseanne Roseanna Rubino, to your Barbwa Waa Waa!!! The many creative projects you created and your love of life was infectious. Your humor and creative talents always stood out, but your kindness and heartfelt approach to your friends, and to me will be the memory that lasts forever. Rest in Peace dear Denice. You made life better.

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Denise Carlton

July 15, 1953 – December 30, 2022

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