Denise Marie Wholey's Obituary
Denise Marie Wholey
October 21, 1956 - November 30, 2023
Denise was born on October 21, 1956, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Vince and Gail Wholey. The family moved from Pennsylvania to Illinois and eventually landed in Texas. Denise graduated from Memorial High School in Houston in 1975. She moved to Austin for college (Hook’em!) and then stayed on to manage a tennis club and then a yacht club. Denise moved to Arkansas for many years but has been back in the lone star state for the last 7 years.
When Denise passed away, she was just one month short of earning her thirty-year chip with A.A. Thirty years! She was strong and so brave. We are proud of her. Denise followed her mother in her love the outdoors and, like mom, earned her Master Gardener’s certification. They shared an always enviable green thumb talent.
She impressed us with her love of carpentry and restoring antique furniture. One summer she built an oversized treehouse in the woods for her niece, nephews and all of the wannabe Tom Sawyers in the neighborhood. She was a formidable participant in the ongoing favorite aunt competition. Denise was serious collector of cool t-shirts, ball caps, seashells and stray dogs.
Denise is preceded in death by her mother, Gail Carroll Wholey and her father Vince Wholey. She is survived by her four sisters. Debra Carroll (Travis Steer), Donna Bailey (Mark), Delores Wholey, and Diane Wholey. Also, by her cousins Laurie Carroll and Susan Murphy (Bill) of Pennsylvania. She was Aunt Niece to Whitney Touchstone (Will), David Bailey (Lauren), Luke Bailey, Bradley Bailey, and Daniel Bailey. She loved her great niece Rachel and two great nephews Trey and Luke. She will be greatly missed by all of us and by her loving community of friends at The Eldorado Senior Living in Richardson.
A memorial service for Denise will be held at The El Dorado Senior Living Center on December 21 at 10:00 am. 714 West Arapaho Road in Richardson.
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