Denice Elizabeth Guanci

GUANCI, Denice Elizabeth (Dawe) Of Maui, Hawaii died August 7, 2010. Denice was 57 years young. Her passing was the final act in a graceful and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Denice was born and raised in Quincy, MA. She was the beloved daughter of Olga De Nicola Dawe and the late Hugh Ellis Dawe of Norwell, MA, and the beloved sister of Theodore G. Dawe of Norwell, MA. She leaves behind many beloved cousins, an aunt and many friends. Denice moved to Salem, MA and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Salem State College where she earned a degree in Art. Denice also received a special academic award for her art work and studies at Salem State. Her art work was displayed at the Winfisky Gallery. Denice was also an accomplished musician and performer. Denice studied voice with Vaughn Bean, Luci Martin and with Donna Roll. She performed with the Paul Madore Chorale and was the music director for St. Ann's Church in Peabody and for St. Joseph's Church in Salem. Denice also performed in off-Broadway productions in both Boston and New York. Her most notable role was as Sister Amnesia in the Boston production of Nunsense. She was also a celebrated performer in the Boston production of Forbidden Broadway for several years, where she applied her exceptional vocal and comic talent, spoofing Broadway celebrities including Carol Channing, Julie Andrews and Ethel Merman. She later joined the New York production. Denice relocated to Maui, Hawaii in 1991 to pursue her love of Art. After settling in Maui, she designed and made jewelry, many from the stones she collected on her travels. Denice felt at home by the ocean on Maui, watching whales and dolphins, embracing and riding horses and delighted in the lush flora. The main subjects of her paintings became the dolphins and the orchids she grew and nurtured. Denice most recently returned to Massachusetts to receive treatment at the Dana Farber Cancer Clinic and to be surrounded by her friends and family. A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 1:00 pm at the following location: Saint Helen's Church Hall, 383 Washington Street, Norwell, MA 02061. The regularly scheduled 11:30 am Sunday Mass will be offered for Denice. Gifts in memory of Denice may be made to: Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Ovarian Cancer Research, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445.