Denise Elaine Cloutier Patnaude, 70, died November 29, 2017 in Nashua, N.H. after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was an amazing wife, mother, and sister; but treasured her role as Grammy more than anything.
Denise was born June 7, 1947 in Biddeford, Maine, and was immediately adopted by Robert and Elaine Pinet, of Nashua, N.H., where she lived most of her life, before moving to Sebastian, Florida. She attended Presentation of Mary and Mount St. Mary’s schools, and was a graduate of Rivier College with a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. Her loving and caring personality made her a natural teacher—first in second grade and then as a Title 1 Reading Specialist at Spring Street Junior High. She made direct and lasting impressions on all her students. Denise was also an avid volunteer and an advocate for her own children during their school years.
Eventually, Denise got bit by the travel bug and began work in the travel industry. She worked in leisure travel before venturing out on her own. She was owner and president of All Ways Tours & Travel Inc., where she specialized in student and group travel. After nearly 10 years on her own she chose to move into corporate travel and held positions with American Express, Carlson Wagon Lit and was the in-house travel manager for Brown Brothers Harriman in Boston before retiring in 2011.
Denise loved to travel and spent as much time exploring the world as she possibly could. She and her husband, Michael, traveled extensively to destinations throughout the world. Her favorite adventures included an African safari, Cabo San Lucas, Machu Pichu, Costa Rica and pretty much anywhere in Europe.
She had a keen sense of adventure and loved to meet people from all different cultures. People were drawn to Denise because of her larger than life personality and beautiful smile. She never met a stranger and was friends with all wherever she went.
Whether it was shopping, enjoying good food (especially anything from the sea) or a glass of fine wine Denise enjoyed spending time with friends and family. She also loved being at the beach, with her toes in the sand and sun on her face.
More than anything Denise valued time with her family, especially with her grandbabies. She never missed a chance to give a warm hug and loved spoiling her grandkids every chance she had.
Denise is survived by her husband, Michael Patnaude of Sebastian, Fla.; daughter Wendy and son-in-law Jim Varhegyi of Dayton, Ohio; son Jeff and daughter-in-law Andrea Cloutier of Wexford, Pa.; stepdaughter Erica Patnaude of Londonderry, N.H.; and stepson Dylan Patnaude and Ashley Buker of Boston, Mass. She is also survived by her grandchildren Elaina Varhegyi, Izabel Cloutier, Lilliana Patnaude, Lucas Patnaude, Nikole Varhegyi, Elijah Varhegyi, and David Widder-Varhegyi, her sister Suzanne Pinet, her nephew Mark and Lisa Rasmussen, niece Amy Reynolds, and her children Jake, Joshua and Avery.
Funeral services will take place at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, N.H. on Sunday, December 3. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. and a Celebration of Life will be at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Denise’s name to the NH Make-a-Wish Foundation: www.nh.wish.org. Any donation cards maybe emailed to wvarhegyi@gmail.com. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
