Denise Davidah Kale

Denise Davidah Kale, of Boulder, died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as Lou Gehrig's disease, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2006, in Boulder. She was 56.

The daughter of Jacob Kale and Freda Phagan Kale, she was born Sept. 14, 1950, in Philadelphia. She married Jeff Hayas on Sept. 8, 1974, in Boulder. They divorced in 1981. She married James Best on June 23, 1985, in Boulder.

Ms. Kale moved to Boulder in 1973.

She earned a bachelor's degree from Ithaca College and a master's degree from the University of Denver.

She was a teacher in Adams County School District No. 12 for 22 years, working in high-poverty schools with learning disabled and emotionally disturbed students.

She also taught teacher candidates from the University of Colorado-Denver, master's level candidates from CU-Boulder and experienced teachers, instructing them in literacy techniques, math, conflict resolution, thinking skills, social studies and science, among other subjects.

Ms. Kale served as a vice principal for one year and taught at many elementary schools in the district, including North Star, Westview, Federal Heights and Riverdale.

"Denise loved teaching both elementary and adult students," her family said. "A talented facilitator, she worked with many groups, bringing them together."

Survivors include her husband, of Boulder; two daughters, Alysia Hayas and Jaclyn Best, both of Boulder; a brother, Keith Kale, of Portland, Ore.; and her mother, of Hollywood, Fla.

She was preceded in death by her father and a sister, Cynthia Kale.

Services have been held.

Contributions may be sent to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the ALS Association, 1201 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 202, Denver, CO, 80218; to Compassionate Care ALS, P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA, 02574; or to Nevei Kodesh Building Fund, P.O. Box 21601, Boulder, CO, 80308-4601.

Boulder Mortuary and Cremation Center handled arrangements.