Denise C. Humberston

Denise C. Humberston passed away on September 23rd at Baystate Medical Center at the age of 85.
She was born in Springfield in 1938 to Katherine and Robert G. Humberston. She attended Springfield schools, graduating from the High School of Commerce in 1956. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Westfield State College in 1960. Denise had a teaching career which spanned almost fifty years. She taught at Birchland Park School in East Longmeadow and at Thaddeus Kociuszko Junior High School in Enfield, CT. Most of her tenure was spent teaching in the Springfield School system, where she taught reading and social studies, finishing her long career at Kiley Middle School.
As a young woman in the 1960s, Denise was active in the Young Republicans and the English Speaking Union. She liked to travel and spent a year living in England. She enjoyed live theater and in her earlier years was involved in community theater productions and school musicals. A lifelong collector, she loved looking for books and bargains at tag sales and church fairs. In personality, Denise was lively, generous, curious and caring. She was quick to connect with others, was the first to offer help when needed, and was a good friend to all she knew.
Denise was devoted to her family. She was a steadfast and loving companion to her mother, Kay, who died in 1999. She doted on her nephew, Nicholas, and happily logged many babysitting hours after school and during school vacations. She will be remembered by her family for her concern and constant support, her many acts of kindness and her prodigious good humor.
She leaves her brother, Robert R. Humberston, her sister-in-law, Maggie Humberston, and her beloved nephew, Nicholas Humberston, along with many friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
A memorial service will be held for Denise on Monday, October 2nd at 11 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, 35 Chestnut St., Springfield, MA.