Denise Needles, née Bouthillet, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2025 at the age of 98.

Denise was born on January 11, 1927 in Wilmington, Delaware, one of four sisters in a French speaking family.. She had an idyllic childhood, ice skating on the Brandywine River, buying candy from the local five and dime, and exploring Brandywine Park. She met her husband, Clarence, shortly after her 1944 graduation from P.S. DuPont High School. Denise was instantly attracted to the dark haired and dashing man who would become her partner and companion. She married him on a Thursday afternoon at St. Patrick's Church, clad in a pink suit. Denise and Clarence immediately boarded a train to their whirlwind honeymoon in New York City. Over the years they traveled to Rome, Ireland and the Western United States among other places. Denise and Clarence were married for 42 years, until his death on July 4, 1989 , and had three children, Ronald (Mary Lee), Joan, and Thomas (Sally). Denise worked for many years as an Information Supervisor at the Medical Center of Delaware. Denise next trekked across the world with her friend, Tony Perregrino whom she met at Post Cana. Together the two rode Space Mountain in Florida and whitewater rafted in Alaska. They filled their passports with multiple trips to Europe and journeyed across all of America.

Denise was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha and Adolf Bouthillet, her sisters, Doris, Jane, and Louise and her granddaughter Kimberlee. Left to honor and remember Denise are her children, named above, as well as her nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

She was a devoted Catholic and, as such, funeral services will be held on September 25th at Holy Spirit Church in New Castle, a church she attended since its founding in 1956. There will be a viewing at 10am followed by Mass at 11am. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery. Denise will be always remembered as an indomitable spirit who enjoyed life and was committed to her family. She will be missed but not forgotten.

The family thanks the doctors and staff at the Millcroft Senior Residence for the kind treatment of our mother.