Denise Marion Kotschevar-Smead

1967 - 2017

Denise Marion Kotschevar-Smead

Denise Marion Kotschevar-Smead, 49, of Bothell, passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. She was born March 22, 1967 in Seattle, the daughter of the late Judith Irene (Lecture) Delatour and Paul L Kotschevar.

Denise graduated from Western Washington University in 1990 and went on to achieve her Master's Degree in International Policy Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey in 1995 where she specialized in Latin American Studies. Denise had a truly global perspective and spoke Spanish fluently. She traveled the world, spending a lot of time working and studying in Mexico. Denise enjoyed professional achievement during her work life at Allied Telesis, Intermec and Honeywell. While she achieved great success in her professional life, her biggest passion was her family.

Denise married Mike Smead on September 6, 1998 in Bothell, WA. She loved spending time with family and friends. She loved Latin American and Spanish music, live concerts and dancing. Denise also had a great love for animals which compelled her to do charity work for Pasado's Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary as well as donate time and money to various animal protection non-profits.

Denise had an innate ability to make people laugh and smile. Everyone who met Denise loved her. She was fierce, witty, sassy, confident, and passionate and embraced life to the fullest. Denise loved people and made friends easily. She had a unique way to find the best in everyone and was the first one to step up when help was needed. Her greatest joy was the birth of her sons. Her face always lit up when she spoke of her love for them and watching them grow into young adults with her loving husband Mike.

She is survived by her husband Mike of 19 years; two sons, Cade and Kyan Kotschevar-Smead; brothers, Donnie Kotschevar and wife Bobbi and Darren Kotschevar and wife Cheryl; sister, Dina Kotschevar; nephew, Caleb, her many cousins and her two cats, Nacho and Cheddar. She will be greatly missed, not only by her family but by her many friends and colleagues.

Arrangements are being handled by Lifetime Celebrations by Washelli, 18224 103rd Avenue NE, Bothell, WA. (425) 486-1281

The family will be having a private service.

In lieu of flowers, a college fund is being established for her sons Cade and Kyan as education was a critical piece in Denise's Life. Donations can be made at https://www.americanfunds.com/individual/products/college-america-529.html (Tax exempt goes directly to their college funds)