Denise Marie Robertson

Denise Marie Robertson died February 28, 2024 from a brain aneurysm at a young 61 years. She was a loving, intense, strong, persistent, complex, fragile, intelligent and wonderfully giving person.

Denise was a lifelong runner, seeker, explorer and learner: always both physically and mentally active. If there was a neighborhood pickup baseball game, Denise was one of the kids hitting the home runs. If there was a road race that could be signed up for, Denise was right there, alongside Mom, urging each other on.

Her formal education was in psychology and child development. Born in Alaska (a real "sourdough"), she grew up in Spokane, excelling academically and in sports such as volleyball. Denise graduated from North Central High School and Whitworth University, then attended Clark University in Worcester, MA, earned a Masters from Eastern Washington University, and attained an ABD from Gonzaga University.

Denise, who has been called "a child whisperer," lit up when talking to children, and they loved her. Her many nieces and nephews, and grand-nephews, know her as an aunt with the knack of following all the details of their lives. She also gave the funnest gifts and, making use of a lifelong major artistic talent, the coolest clothes. When you started to grow up, she would find some work she could pay you for, and give you some very decent guidance for free.

In retirement, while traveling with Mary Lynn, Denise earned about 50 Junior Ranger badges from national and state parks all across the country, and ran thousands of miles of trails with faithful four-legged companion Bodhi. Having grown up in a family whose second home of sorts was the North Hill library, Denise always knew a dozen great books to recommend to you, and she ran a successful bookselling business for years. Denise was preceded in death by her parents, T. Ann (Griffiths) and Robert Robertson, brother Paul, and niece Dashielle. She is survived by her loving spouse Mary Lynn Johnson, as well as her brothers and sisters: Jim (wife Mary, children Ian, Ashley and Nick); John (wife Debbie, kids Matthew and Katie); Mark (wife Moni, daughter Claire); Sue O'Brien (son Brandon); David (kids Tobias, Maude, August, and Fin); Janet Spencer (husband Mike, Denise's beloved goddaughter India, Seth, Selah, and Abigail); and by friend Ken Coburn, her former brother-in-law.

Denise's final gift to others was typically generous: she is an organ donor.

Services for her will be held at St. Francis of Assisi church, 1104 W. Heroy Ave., Spokane, Washington. It will be on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 2 PM. We look forward to celebrating the life of this wonderful woman.