Denise (Lanpher) Elias, of Tewksbury, formerly of Burlington and Woburn, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, May 2nd at the Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She was 67.
Born in Woburn, she was the daughter of the late John Kenneth and Elizabeth Ann (Ginivan) Lanpher. Denise graduated from Woburn High School with the Class of 1969. Following graduation, Denise went to work in the healthcare industry, as a medical records specialist. She worked for the Lahey Clinic in Burlington for 35 years, until her retirement, in 2017.
In her spare time, Denise enjoyed taking walks around her community or along the beach. She loved being outdoors and working with her hands in the garden. Denise was an avid reader and enjoyed all genres. One of her favorite authors was Lee Child. She was also an active member on the beautification committee at the Eagle’s Landing Community. Denise always loved traveling with her family, and her favorite destination was Ogunquit, Maine. The most important part of Denise’s life was being with her husband, children and extended family. She was a person that you could count on, and there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for the people she loved.
Denise was the beloved wife of Michael Elias. The two were married on May 24, 1975 at St. Charles Borromeo Church, in Woburn. Together they shared 43 years of loving marriage. She was the devoted mother of Jaime Elias and her fiancé James Rivello of Lowell, Kaitlyn Pappalardo and her husband Phil of Billerica. Denise was the dear sister of Kathleen Wagschal and her husband Peter of California, Maureen Thorne and her husband Robert of New Hampshire, and the late Kevin Lanpher. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Her funeral will be from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant Street, Woburn, on Tuesday, May 8th at 9 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Charles Borromeo Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Monday from 4 through 8 PM. Services will conclude with interment at Calvary Cemetery, Woburn.
Contributions in Denise's name may be sent to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.