Denise Annette Wilkins

Denise Annette Wilkins July 7, 1948 - July 17, 2013 Denise Wilkins, 65, born on July 7, 1948, a beautiful woman in spirit and appearance, sadly passed on July 17, 2013 after a hard fought battle with colon cancer. She was welcomed home with open arms by God in Heaven and reunited with her brother Michael and Father Maxwell David Zent. Denise was born in New Mexico. She grew up in California, raised her family in Idaho and adventurously moved to Anchorage, Alaska where she lived for the past 20 years. She was a spirited and fun-loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend who loved to serve others. She cherished nothing more than to be with family and friends and enjoyed spending time outdoors. She loved her cats, Hemingway and Gracie, and the all elusive mermaid which always brought her back to the ocean. Denise was one of the most generous people you would ever meet. She saw the beauty in the small things and was undoubtedly one of greatest people we have ever known. She has blessed my life, my kids and those of countless others more than I could ever begin to put down on paper. Her spirit was contagious, her character flawless, her laughter infectious and she gave new meaning to what it is to have hope, faith, courage and bravery. Denise leaves a legacy of love and kindness and will ALWAYS be remembered and missed beyond words. She is survived by her sons, Aaron and Torsen Wilkins, her daughter-in-law, Lisa, her grandchildren Jake and Ashlynn, her mother Jacqueline Zent, and her siblings Dave, Chris, Terese, Joan, and a million friends who loved her like family. A memorial service and celebration of the time we were blessed to have her in her in our lives will be held with family at Catalina Island, California. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Denise Annette Wilkins to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for "Ashlynn's Armed Forces" Walk Team in support of her granddaughter, Ashlynn. Services are under the direction of Relyea Funeral Chaple, Boise, Idaho. www.bakersfield.com/obits