Denise Carol Youngblood

Denise Carol Youngblood, age 67 of Fraser, died Friday, June 12, 2020 at the Autumn Woods Health Care Facility in Warren, Michigan. She was born December 29, 1952 in Detroit, daughter of the late Thomas and the late Germaine (nee: Buchanan) Shutt.

In loving memory of Denise Carol (Shutt) Youngblood

As a little girl, Denise enjoyed the typical girly things and loved to wear the handmade dresses her mom would make.  She liked playing with dolls, silly putty, riding bikes and horses, and even chemistry sets.  Her passion at a young age was to draw and paint.  Having such an immense IQ, being adventurous and full of life combined with creative talents best describes Denise.   These natural talents combined with her high ambition set her life in motion. 

Denise learned a strong work ethic having gained her first job in her fathers business.  In addition, she helped raise her sisters when her mom was ill, took care of her ailing grandmother, taught her sisters to skate, helped with school projects, helped make goodies for school bake sales and chaperoned school activities like Boblo boat and Belle Isle trips.  She sacrificed her time so she could keep a close eye and protect her sisters and children.  Denise always helped to make holidays fun for her sisters and her children.  Holidays were filled with bunny paws from the Easter bunny to answering long letters written to Santa just to keep her sisters and kids innocent for a bit longer.  Christmas holidays had all the trim and she would be up late helping Santa’s elves make Christmas special.  Birthdays were no different.  Cakes were made from scratch and decorated in a personal fashion that meant something special to the person she baked it for. 

Denise had many facets to her life and developed diverse interests.  She excelled at everything she did.    One of her first drawings was of Neil Diamond, who she adored.  Denise had an adventurous nature about her.  She practiced Tai Chi, studied Japanese and French language, and loved sky diving.  She loved to camp, garden, draw, paint, and cook.  She also loved nature and especially loved animals. 

From a young age and throughout her life, Denise helped take care of injured wildlife, from squirrels and baby raccoons to bugs that graced her doorstep.  Denise had a strong interest in biology as a young woman, and she took her fascination with biology, formally studying this in college.  She eventually took those skills into becoming a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS), working for over 25 years at Ascension Macomb (formerly St. John Hospital).  Denise laughed with her patients, and, when cardiac cath results returned, shared tears of sorrow and tears of relief with them, too.  She loved her job, and took a lot of pride in the lives she touched in the course of her work. 

Denise met Tom through mutual friends.  Once they started dating they became instant soul mates, often saying they wished they met in high school.  Denise and Tom married on September 7. 1989, every day of their 30 plus years together was a blessing.  Tom was her best friend in the world.  She loved Tom very much and was grateful for every moment of their lives they spent together. 

Fun times were bountiful.  Bocce ball in the backyard, BBQ parties with friends and family, to playing Keno at the local pub with their friends.  And it didn’t hurt that Denise had the lucky numbers and would win often.  Having a father-in-law to share Red Wing stories with and a mother-in-law who made sure Denise was properly served her beer, Denise knew she was blessed.  In addition to gaining a great extended family, Denise gained a new sister in Diane.  They spent a lot of time laughing, having fun and dancing to music.  Together they spent many summers camping in Algonac, MI.  With so many wonderful memories, Algonac State Park became Denise’s favorite place to be and will become her final resting spot.

In her last remaining years Denise became increasingly ill.  She was grateful to have survived the many medical issues she endured.  She appreciated the many people and facilities that helped to care for her.  She felt blessed to have met so many wonderful people and even developed relationships that extended beyond her initial care.  Denise had a zeal for life (and some stubbornness, too) that helped her survive medical issues which many people would have succumbed to.  She maintained a brave front and fought diligently to persevere during all of her illnesses.  She was making great strides.  The goal and hope was for her to return home to live with her husband in the near future.  She wasn’t ready to leave this world. 

On June 12, 2020, God called her home.  Denise will be very missed and remembered fondly.  She lived a full life.  She had a long marriage to her husband Tom, two children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.  For her family, we take solace knowing she is no longer in pain, no longer suffering from illness, and reunited with her late parents, grandparents, brother and pets.  We know Denise loved her husband, sisters, brothers, extended family, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  We will miss you very much Denise.  Until we are reunited again, we will remember you every time we see a bird in our yard, flowers growing in a garden, wildlife, dragonflies, cooking our favorite recipes and so much more.  May you rest in peace.

Denise was the beloved wife of Thomas Richard Youngblood. Dear mother of David (Sherry) Shutt and Nicole (Will) Boom. Loving grandmother of Jessica, David Jr., Sara, Scott, and Christina. Cherished sister of Kathryn (Ron) Howard, Pat (Gary) Nacy, the late Martin Lattimer, and sister-in-law of Doreen Lattimer.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren, Michigan.

Please share memories of Denise at her guest book below.