Denise M. (Fuller) Downes

LEOMINSTER --- Denise M. (Fuller) Downes, 59 years old of Leominster, died Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at home by the fireplace surrounded by loved ones after a valiantly fought 13-year battle with breast cancer.

Denise was born March 28, 1964, in Fitchburg MA, the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Turcotte) Fuller.

She is survived by her son, Casey N. Downes, his fiancée, Madison D. Smith, and their dogs Nala and Zeus of Ashburnham; three sisters, Christine Mullaney of Leominster, Elizabeth Sappet of Pepperell, and Kathleen (Kevin) Lizotte of Harvard; two brothers, Richard (Rebecca) Fuller of San Antonio, TX, and Michael (Tricia) Fuller of Raleigh, NC, as well as dozens of nephews, nieces, and her fantastic group of loving friends.

She is predeceased by her brother-in-law, John Sappet and sister-in-law, Kelly Fuller. 

Denise graduated from St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School in 1982 where she made many everlasting friendships. After graduating from Rivier College in Nashua, NH with a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies and working at the District Court in Fitchburg, Denise pursued her Associate Degree in Nursing from Mt. Wachusett Community College. Denise was a kind, compassionate, detail-oriented nurse during her 25+ year tenure at Henry Heywood Hospital in Gardner and a knowledgeable mentor and educator as a nursing manager at the D ’Ambrosio Cataract & Laser Center in Gardner.

Undoubtedly, her greatest accomplishment was her son Casey, her pride and joy.

One of Denise’s greatest penchants in life was traveling. She enjoyed many spur-of-the-moment excursions to Bermuda and Rhode Island with her life-long best friend and surrogate sister, Ellen Corliss, along with their vast and loyal group of friends to soak up the sunshine, replenish her soul in the salt air, and to forget about time altogether. There are many fond memories of pub crawls, good eats and singing karaoke with anything resembling a microphone.

She enjoyed countless expeditions throughout New England, especially the sandy beaches and searching for seashells, sea glass, and clamming. She will always be remembered for enjoying the beach, creating competitive family game nights, and for cooking and baking for her whole family whether it was for the holidays or just because she wanted to try out a new recipe.

Her favorite vacation memory was spending two weeks in Falmouth, Cape Cod in 2006 with the entire Fuller family. In recent years, Denise and Casey packed their car and drove to Duck, NC and Isle of Palms, SC to enjoy even more Fuller family vacations. Most recently, Denise, Casey, Madison, and Ellen made an unforgettable week in Bermuda where timeless memories were created.

When not traveling or at the beach, she would enjoy Sunday drives throughout New England, touring her old stomping grounds from her childhood, or watching Casey play ice hockey for their alma mater, St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School, as well as the Greater Gardner Youth Hockey organization and the Boston Junior Bruins.

The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Glenn and Ellen as well as her abundance of life-long friends for their unwavering support throughout the years.

She was so fortunate to have such a wealth of friendship and for the laughs that followed. 

Calling hours are Monday, December 18th from 5-7 pm at Richardson’s Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster. Funeral will be held on Tuesday, December 19th, from the Richardson Funeral Home with a Funeral mass at 11 am at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 1400 Main St., Leominster. Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Cancer Support Fund of Central Massachusetts (CSFCM) PO Box 607, Westminster MA. 01473. www.richardsonfuneralhome.net.

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