Denise L. McLean

Denise McLean was a small-town girl who loved singing, traveled the world, was devoted to her family—and did a mean rooster impression.

She died of cancer May 4, 2021, at her home in Naples, Fla., surrounded by her family.

Born Nov. 16, 1933, in Fornfelt, Mo., Denise was the youngest of five children of Charles and Stella Hahn. Shaped by her circumstances during the depression and World War II, she was frugal and practical, but loved fun and games.

Denise also loved to sing, taking the alto parts as she dried the dishes and her sister Shirley washed and harmonized the soprano. It stung them years later that they failed to win a talent contest held by a traveling medicine show.

Denise attended Southeast Missouri State College in Cape Girardeau, Mo., where the local radio station crowned her Miss KFVS. In college, she and her friends would routinely go out on dates with multiple couples. One night in the early 1950s, she and a young Danny McLean were out together with different dates just before Danny left town to join the Navy Reserve. Danny said that, since he was about to leave for service, he should get to kiss each of the ladies goodnight. So they kissed. When he came back safely, he telephoned Denise. They started dating and then got married.

Their Jan. 8, 1955, wedding opened the door to travel on a grand scale. They moved to St. Louis, where Dan began working for Safeco Insurance. As he moved up in the company and was given new assignments, they added children and addresses to their lives. Cynthia Louise was born in St. Louis, as was Robert Keith 18 months later. Pamela Sue followed in Wichita about a year later. From there, the family lived in half a dozen cities around the country.

Denise expertly managed the home and children while Dan worked and climbed the company ladder. She later joked that she kicked and screamed each time he announced a move, but she always went along in the end. After the kids were launched, Dan and Denise landed at company headquarters in Seattle.

Through the years, Denise accompanied Dan on Safeco business trips across the globe, including multiple visits to Hawaii, Mexico, and Europe.

In retirement, Denise and Dan made their home in Naples, Fla.

As grandchildren came on the scene, Denise and Dan would host large family gatherings at their home or at a favorite spot on the Oregon coast. They were doting and indulgent grandparents. Each Christmas Eve, Denise’s beautiful voice stood out as the family “sang their heads off.”

Later, as grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived, Denise advised them that her maiden name, Hahn, meant “rooster” in German – and then crowed with all her might. The toddlers, of course, did the same in return.

Denise was an avid bridge player and did the crossword puzzle every day. In the evenings, “Wheel of Fortune” was not just a show but an opportunity for fierce family competition and gambling.

Denise was a list-maker. In recent years, she would make detailed notes of what she planned to do that day and things she wanted to remember. The family has found these notes all over the house.

Their favorite is a note entitled “TODAY.” Among items such as “Call later about meds” and “Eat prunes at lunch,” she says, “Do whatever seems right.” Next to that item she wrote, circled and highlighted: “DONE.”

Denise is survived by her children Cynthia McLean (Michael Peck), Belize; Robert McLean (Laura), Aurora, Ill.; and Pamela McLean Meyerson (Charles), of Oak Park, Ill.; by grandchildren Daniel McLean (Bethany), Jennifer Kochanski (Tony), Paul Naughton, Elise Naughton, Ben Meyerson (Nicole), Joel Meyerson and David Meyerson; and by six great-grandchildren. Her husband preceded her in death in 2018.

Funeral services will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church in Naples at noon Friday, May 7.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, Fla. 34105; or at avowcares.org.