Denise Leonard Dickson
Denise Leonard Dickson
Denise Leonard Dickson, 68, died Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, after a brave and dignified months-long battle with a variety of health issues. Denise loved her family deeply, particularly her devoted husband and best friend, Dennis Dickson. She was a rare and gifted combination of exceptional talents, and quiet, calm, thoughtful bearing. The world will miss her steady and loving demeanor, and her mischievous and magnificent mind.
Denise or “Deni” spent the past decade enjoying the Arizona sunshine and retirement, just steps across the street from her parents Patricia and Paul Leonard. As the sun set on her accomplished life, she most enjoyed family dinners, long chats on the patio, floating in the pool, and interactions with extended family and friends.
Denise was born as the first child in the fall of 1955, in Albuquerque, N.M., to 20-something parents Pat and Paul. She stubbornly refused to give up the title of “#1 Golden Child” for the remainder of her life.
Growing up she lived in seven states (NM, CO, MO, ND, IN, CA, WA) and a dozen homes. Her mind was a constant and eclectic sponge, devouring books on topics from music to history to high jumping to sailing. She learned to ski and was a talented flute and piccolo player. She enjoyed hiking, tennis, puzzles, and every kind of food ever invented.
Scholarship came naturally to Denise. She tested out of her entire undergraduate degree. She advanced to capture a Doctor of Pharmacy from University of San Francisco and a MBA from Wharton University. Beginning in 1983 she embarked on a career with pharmaceutical juggernaut Eli Lilly and Company, becoming one of the first females to exert boardroom influence, while being personally responsible for the international launch of billion-dollar drugs around the globe. Between work travels and adventures with husband Dennis, Denise visited over 20 countries on six continents, always learning, listening, and tasting the local cuisines.
Deni was a passionate contributor to an extensive list of charities including United Way, assorted Catholic charities and community centers, and various mentoring efforts. She was a key catalyst in the attraction of huge community events in Indianapolis including Professional Tennis, Olympic Trials, a Super Bowl, and other marquee events. She was a key mentor to dozens of aspiring students. Denise made quality time available to anyone who asked for help.
Denise’s faith was a consistent source of strength throughout her life. It served as a warm familiar blanket with which to wrap herself. Her mind felt peace and quiet when she sat, often next to her parents late in life, celebrating Mass while gazing out at the Santa Catalina mountains near SaddleBrooke, Arizona.
Now she will smile throughout the eternities, having been greeted by her Dad, Scotty and Lucy, loving grandparents, and others. She will no doubt monitor the lives of her many nieces and nephews over whom she has doted from the beginning. She will one day be joined by her surviving husband Dennis Dickson, her mother Patricia Leonard, and her three siblings Lori Leonard Wheeler (Jon), Paul Leonard Jr. (Denise), and Mary Leonard. Until that day her family will remember her for her daunting wit, her immense quiet heart, and for the love and peace she selflessly spread wherever she would go.
Doris Dieterle
Doris Dieterle
Doris Dieterle, 82, passed away on Dec. 4, 2024, in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., following a long struggle with frontotemporal dementia and PSP. Doris was born on July 12, 1942, in San Francisco, Calif., the daughter of the late Albert Weber and D’Arlene (Riggen) Weber. She graduated from St. Paul’s High School in San Francisco and then joined the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose. She left the convent in 1963 before the end of her Novitiate. She returned to San Francisco where she worked during the day and attended night classes at Golden Gate University, where she met Hellmuth (Hal), the love of her life, in 1965. They were married on July 2, 1966, at Mission Delores in San Francisco.
During their 58-year marriage, Doris and Hellmuth had two children and lived in six different states. Always adventurous, Doris loved traveling, including trips with Hellmuth in their motorhome across the United States and Canada, and travels to New Zealand and Australia, China, Japan, Thailand, Mexico, and Argentina, as well as with friends and her family several times across Europe. She particularly enjoyed the six months she and Hellmuth lived in Singapore in 2005.
Doris was very athletic throughout her life, playing competitive basketball and volleyball in high school, working as a certified lifeguard, and teaching swimming lessons to neighborhood children. In 2006, Doris and Hellmuth moved to SaddleBrooke, where she took up playing golf with the SaddleBrooke Niners. She was very creative and shared her talents with friends and family through cherished handmade quilts, cards, and tole painted keepsakes. They summered in Door County, Wis., close to their daughter and her family and moved to Door County full time in 2023, where Doris was cared for in her final months by her family and the loving staff of Cardinal Ridge Residential Care in Sturgeon Bay.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Hellmuth Dieterle, her brother Richard (Lorraine) Ryan, her children Chrisa (Tom) Hickey and Michael (Lynn) Dieterle, grandchildren Alex (Kathi) Hickey, Timothy Hickey, and Dianna Hickey, as well as great-grandsons Jameson and Daniel Hickey.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at psp.org or via check mailed to CurePSP, 325 Hudson St. Fl 4, New York, NY 10013 with her name in the memo line.