Denise Jette

Denise Jeanne Jette, age 64, of Portsmouth, passed peacefully in the arms of family on Sunday, July 21, 2019 at the Grand Islander Healthcare Facility in Middletown. Born December 24, 1954 in Fall River, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Dolor R. and Jeanne (Lacroix) Jette.

Denise worked for many years as a contractor at the Newport Naval Base before starting Cloth Thoughts, her interior design business. An extremely talented decorator, she quickly earned a large and loyal clientel, including: the New York Yacht Club, La Forge Casino, several Newport Mansions and Historical Houses via the Preservation Society, and many Aquidneck Island Inn’s and B&B’s, as well as family homes and summer cottages; she remained a design consultant well after retirement.

Denise enjoyed gardening, photography, candle making,visits to Sachuest Beach, and an occasional scotch. Passionate about her creativity, she could do almost anything well, but those who were fortunate enough to know her will miss her cooking most. Celebrations with Denise always came with a full belly, and a warm heart.

Her children will miss her ability to always provide laughter, even through tears. Her quick, often sarcastic wit, and animated expressions will be sorely missed; luckily these traits (possibly her strongest) were passed on to them. Denise will be thought of fondly for her ability to love, forgive, and care for those endeared to her. She was a mother by nature, and while she taught her children to use tools, cook, make crafts, and many other skills, the most valuable thing they learned from her was how to love and nurture.

She is survived by her three children, Colin McKeon, Kate (McKeon) Acosta, and Kim Eklund and her husband Brian Lewis; ten grandchildren, Kai Phoenix, Brooke McKeon, Daniel Acosta, Whitney McKeon, Ty Babcock, Abaigael McKeon, Isabella McKeon, Boden Lewis, Lucas Lewis, and Amelia Lewis; twin brother Dr. Richard Jette and his wife Dr. Carmen Jette, and her sisters, Diane Thornsbury, Carol Jette and her husband Agop Touroyan, and Patricia Jette, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Anne Raymond, and her long-time companion Philip G. Eklund.

Her visitation will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea with a Celebration of Life at 7:00 pm. Burial will be private.

Contributions may be made in her honor to: Three Angels Fund, www.threeangelsfund.com.