Denise W. Adams

Denise Woodward Adams of Fort Myers, Florida lost her battle with Cancer on Saturday, May 1st. Her family is devastated by her loss but relieved she is no longer in pain. 

She leaves behind her loving husband Larry, daughter Kimberly (Jason) Rowe, step-children Jim Adams and Gigi Forrest, as well as grandchildren Nicole (Andrew) Heisler, Grace Forrest, Bill Forrest and a great grandson, Levi Heisler. Also missing her greatly are her girls, Arianna and Lola. 

Denise was born in 1952 in Michigan. She loved dancing from the beginning and even taught for a short time. Shortly after graduating from Stevenson Highschool in Livonia she married Phil Woodward in 1971. As a military wife, Denise travelled and spent a few years stationed in Germany, where her daughter was born.

After returning to Michigan she made a career of making the world a more beautiful place, mainly in wallpaper and other interior decorating sales. She was a certified Kitchen designer and her kitchens were always showplace as well as meeting places. She also helped many woman and girls over the years with makeup, bras, and shopping for the right clothes... always at incredible bargains! She was beautiful and always wanted everyone else to feel beautiful as well.

While Larry and Denise were not each others' first loves, they were amazing partners, in life and on the dance floor. They met dancing and through the years many crowds parted to watch their graceful movements and her megawatt smile on the dancefloor. 

They loved to entertain at their lake house and Denise thrived as a hostess. Her goal was always to be sure everyone had a drink, a full belly and a lot of laughs. Her friends will all have stories of her "Shrubs" and likely recall the subsequent hangovers. In 2015, she and Larry flew south for the winter and never looked back. They found a wonderful community of friends and spent the last several years enjoying their "paradise."

Denise had zero filter and sometime her blurted words were shocking or got her into trouble. But for those who knew and loved her well, it was evidence of how genuine she was. She held nothing back and loved so fiercely. Thankfully she has left us so many wonderful memories to think back on fondly.

A small gathering will be held in the Pelican Preserve Community in Fort Myers on Saturday, May 8th at noon. An additional service will be held in Michigan in June.