Melby Denise May Pierce-Warner of Middlesex, passed away Monday evening, 11 July 2011, after a long struggle with cancer.

She was attended by her husband, several of their children, her father, and brother.

She was born Dec. 6, 1952, in Huntington Park, Cal. Her father was a Chief Petty Officer who after 20 years in the Navy transferred to the Army as a Warrant Officer. She was raised in California, Japan and Okinawa as the family followed her father’s assignments.

She earned a degree in textiles and fashion design prior to her marriage. She raised five natural children and helped with several more that she regarded as her own. Denise loved children, sewing and music. She was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she taught the younger children for many years. She was a gentle, pleasant, wise and shy woman, beloved of her husband of 35 years, family and friends.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She ariseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." (Proverbs 31:10-28)

"Wheresoever she was, there was Eden." And she was loved, and was love.

A memorial service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Gloucester at 6:30 p.m. 15 July.

Please make donations to the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.