The spirit of our beloved Denae, artist and author, passed peacefully into eternity on 29 January 2024.  Denae celebrated life through her paintings for over forty years.  She and her canvas were as large as Life itself.  As a mature artist, Denae was invited to Paris by Dominique-Charles Janssens, President of the Institut Van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise, France, in recognition of her "Vincent Van Gogh Tribute" painting.  The Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art in Bellevue, WA, purchased for their permanent collection an eighteen-painting series of folk-art dolls.  The late playwright August Wilson and author Charles Johnson, winner of a 1990 National Book Award, both held Denae's paintings in their collections.  Denae's synthesizing artistic vision embraced many of the world's cultures, both modern and prehistoric, including cave paintings and aboriginal art forms. Her vision was greatly and continually deepened by lifelong studies, but especially by her formal study at Eastern Washington University where she graduated with majors in Anthropology and Women's Studies.  She was inspired by early travel to Ethiopia, later travel to Paris, and inner voyages to many lands spanning many ages. She also drew inspiration from her many adventures across the Pacific Northwest and throughout the country with videographer and poet Neil Claflin.  Denae's vision of life was unique. While Denae drew inspiration from many great masters such as Matisse, Chagall, Monet and Picasso, Van Gogh became her artistic muse. But Denae was always an original creator in her own right.  Every day was a blank canvas for her inquisitive and searching mind.  Patrons of the arts in Spokane and beyond increasingly recognized and supported Denae's work.

As an author, Denae co-wrote the Veselits family memoir "Birds of Passage" (Amazon.com). She also wrote a book about her paintings "When the Neophyte Meets the Loon" (unpublished).

Denae had a lifelong commitment to helping others in need, and her employment embodied such service – in her younger years in VISTA (IL), at the Curtis Home (CT), at Lakeland Village (WA), at a Pasadena orphanage (CA) -- and in her later years in senior care in Spokane (WA).  But Denae's generosity of heart and spirit far exceeded her formal employment, and like a flower dropped in a pond, the ripples of her generosity inspired her family, friends and all who knew her.  As her grandniece Isabelle said, Denae "always helped everyone with no hesitation."  If there was a need, Denae was usually the first to offer help.  A beautiful example is her original idea of making up bags of food and other essentials to be handed out to homeless people – an act of kindness that inspired members of our family to also distribute "Denae bags," as we lovingly call them.  Denae was a champion of the marginalized and the struggling wherever she found them.

Denae had a gift for friendship, she was herself a friend extraordinaire, and she drew an ever-widening circle of friends to her. From her early days at Greenacres Jr. High School to her last ten years in her Book Club, she established exceptionally close and enduring friendships.  Her fellow Book Club members treasured her ability to deepen the meaning of the discussion with her creative interpretations, heart-felt insights, and fount of literary knowledge – even more, they treasured Denae herself.

Denae's devoted and selfless love for her family endures at a level, power and intensity beyond human words.

Denae is survived by her best friend and partner Neil Claflin; sisters: Elaine Chadwick (Rick), twin Diane Gourlie (John), Karen Veselits, Gail Dawson (Bud), Gwen Dubigk (Rick), and brother Keith Veselits (Bev); nieces and nephews: Emily, Jennifer, Heather, Justin, Ryan, Alex, Jared, Alicia, Kris, Jamison, Elijha, Isabelle, Aiden, Ben, Leah, Jack and Bennett; cousins: Patricia, Linda, Gary, Sherry, Morgan, Terry, Kenneth and Clancy (Scoot); and many, many dear friends.  Denae is predeceased by her parents Rose and Frank Veselits; brothers: Craig Barnes, and Charles and Curt Veselits.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Kristine Rinn and her staff at Cancer Care Northwest, to the medical staff and volunteers at the Hospice House of Spokane for their high degree of compassion, kindness, and competence at every level, and to the extraordinary young man who transported Denae to Holy Cross with such reverence.

At Denae's request, a private family service will be held at a later date.  A public retrospective art exhibit and sale will be held in the Spring as a celebration of Denae's life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Union Gospel Mission, Hospice of Spokane, or a homeless outreach service of your choice.