Rosemary Denis

Rosemary Jeanne Miles Denis died on Thursday, January 6, 2005, at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, MD. She was 71. Born on April 25, 1933, at 1 Link Cottages, Woodchurch, Kent, England, she was the daughter of John Miles and Joyce Morphy Miles. She attended school in Margate and Kent and was evacuated to Staffordshire during WWII. She married Joseph Denis in 1950, and they and their two children came to America in 1959, sailing on the Queen Mary. The family lived in Baltimore, and spent ten years in Glen Burnie, and eventually settled in Chestertown, where she lived for over 30 years. She loved Kent County because it reminded her of England. She was known as Rosemary to those who knew her in America. Her delightful English accent and her easy conversational manner attracted people to her. Her brothers and sisters in England knew her as Jeanne. Chatting with them on the phone brought her great pleasure. She loved them all very much despite the miles separating them. Mrs. Denis’s interests included watching English Television and reading. She especially liked the English magazines her sister sent her. She was known for her love of animals and cared for strays lovingly, and she made her home a haven for them. Her beloved pets will miss her. Rosemary was a very spiritual woman who relied on prayer and had a deep faith in God. Her children were without a doubt, the focus of her life. She was the warmest, most loving of mothers. They felt privileged to be her children and are inconsolable over her death. Her son, Stan, describes her as the dearest, sweetest, person in the world. Her daughter, Alma, who lived with her, now faces life without her best friend. Rosemary’s youngest grandchild, Joe, lived with her his entire life. She was the first to hold him when he was born and was like a second mother to him. They adored each other. Rosemary’s older grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved them more than words could express. In addition to her husband, Rosemary is survived by her son, Stan Denis of Easton, MD; her daughter, Alma Denis of Chestertown, MD; grandsons, Brian Denis and Ian Denis, both of California, and Joe Gedded of Chestertown; granddaughter, Elaine Denis of Church Hill, MD; sisters Phyllis Beal, Joan Parncutt, Alma Lewis (and her husband Eric), and Shirley Joslin (and her husband Pete); and brothers, John Miles (and his wife Pearl), Frederick Miles Barnard (and his wife Eileen) and Ron Miles all of England. Rosemary was preceded in death by a sister, Jennifer Miles Preedy; a brother Paul Miles; and brother in law, Arthur Parncutt. Funeral services will be held privately. The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Humane Society of Kent County.