Obituary of Denise Marie Hanrahan

Denise Marie Hanrahan September 4, 1968 - April 11, 2023 Denise Marie Hanrahan, 54, of Post Falls, Idaho died unexpectedly on April 11, 2023, of mental health illness. Denise was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, the daughter of Bertrand Mitchell and Phyllis Ashey, husband to Kevin Hanrahan, and mother to Erin Hanrahan. Denise got her bachelor of science degree with a minor in psychology at the University of Maine at Farmington, her master's degree in communication disorders at the University of Maine at Orno, and her certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology. She also took fine art classes at North Idaho College. Denise has worked many jobs including; Speech Language pathologist at M.S.A.D #23, Carmel/Levant, ME, Speech Language Pathologist at Brewer School Department, Brewer, ME, and Speech Language Pathologist at Coeurd A’lene School District, Coeur d’Alene, ID. Throughout her life, Denise has lived in a few places including; Leominster MA, Brewer ME, Coeur d’Alene ID, and Post Falls ID. She was awarded art student of the Year at NIC 2015-2016. She also got best in show at an NIC corner gallery art exhibit. Denise was very talented at what she loved to do! She always loved to put a smile on people's faces, and during Art on the Green one year, she did that a lot. She drew fantastic caricatures of the people passing by, which everyone loved. Denise’s other favorite things to do were playing softball and enjoying time with friends and family. Thinking back to her college days at Stone Hall, where she met her husband, she was always ready for a new adventure. Denise and her best friend, Heidi, made a lot of great memories including, fun softball trips, outlandish Jimmy Buffet concerts, and fun times at the beach. She always loved to do things with her husband and daughter including, apple picking, long walks, and going on adventures. As you can see, Denise was a remarkable woman, with a big heart, she loved everyone inside and out. Denise is survived by her husband, Kevin Hanrahan, and daughter Erin Hanrahan, as well as her best friend Heidi Johnson, and the family dog Ranger. She is also survived by her siblings; Shirley Roy, Sheila Thomas, Sharon Parker, and her twin brother Dennis Mitchell; and other good friends and family. Denise was predeceased by her parents, Bertrand Mitchell, and Phyllis Ashey. Denise was so loved and cherished and will be remembered dearly as a wonderful mother, wife, friend, and person. All services will be private. To honor Denise's love for Art, we are requesting donations be made to the Work of Art program for kids with special needs. It is put on through Idaho Parents Unlimited. Please click on the 'Thanks for donating button, and specify Denise's name so the funds go to the Art program. Thank you. https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=V4UJKBDSXR5TG Poem: The love I shared with my sweet mother. The bond we shared was like no other. Everyone fights and everyone flees. All of those nights, I never thought you would leave. The struggles of life are often disputed, I'm so very sad that you felt unsuited. I will make you proud, at least I will try, I love you in the world, and now I say my goodbye. ~Erin Hanrahan