OWLS HEAD — Denise Mary Raynes, 61, received her wings peacefully in her sleep, Saturday, January 4, 2025, at her home in Rockport. Born in Rockland, April 26, 1963, she was the first-born twin to Bernard and Eleanor Daniels Raynes. 

Denise was a firecracker and had a sparkle that lit up any room. She had an upbeat and happy personality and loved being with people. Denise attended the Henderson School in Camden and after graduating worked many years at the Coastal Workshop where she worked in the bottle redemption center and enjoyed weaving on the loom. She made many friends there and everyone looked forward to seeing her when they went in. 

She loved to be active, dancing, going to the YMCA to swim and exercise classes, as well as participating in the Maine Special Olympics. She was proud to have participated in the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Raleigh, North Carolina for bowling. She loved to travel with her family and never missed an opportunity to go out to eat.

In the rare moments that Denise would sit still, she enjoyed reading, doing word search while listening to music and watching her ‘soaps’ on TV. 

Denise lived happily at home with her parents up until three years ago when she moved to a wonderful residential care home. There she continued to thrive and received excellent and compassionate care from her new family.

Denise’s smile, love and light will be sadly missed by all who were blessed to have known her.

Family meant the world to her and she was predeceased by her father, Capt. Bernard Raynes.

Denise is survived by her mother, Eleanor Raynes of Owls Head; her sisters, Deanna LaCombe and husband Bryan of Greenville, Dawn Heuser and husband Stephen of Olive Branch, Mississippi, and her twin Delisa Morong and husband Chris of Camden; she also leaves her nieces and nephews, Airika Rucevice and husband Eric, Brenton LaCombe, Olivia Fink and husband Dylan, Lilia Heuser, Josh Morong and wife Mary Kate, Dylan Morong; and one great-niece and three great-nephews. 

A memorial mass will be held in July of this year. 

Denise will be laid to rest privately beside her father at Mountain View Cemetery in Camden at a later date.

To share a memory or condolence with the Raynes family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.