Denise VanDyke

For my entire elected career, Denise has been there to welcome us all, set us up for success, equip us all for the work we do, and be a friend. Denise's warmth and wit, steady temperament, attention to detail and to people blessed us all. I loved her cat stories, lovely decorations for the seasons, interesting conversations, warm smile, and kind soul. Denise set a wonderful example of what it means to work together for the good of everyone. Reading the wonderful messages from the other members of our community has been so comforting. Mabel, your daughter was a tremendous blessing and I am thankful to have had the privilege to have known her.

I served last year as a consultant to the CoC providing support to our Youth Action Board, Backbone. The members of this Board are youth and young adults with lived experience with homelessness. I would stop by the COG about twice a month to make copies and pick up checks for Backbone members. Denise was always kind and helpful and usually made me laugh about something. She was generally copied on correspondence so was in the loop on some of the Board happenings. Several months ago, tragically, one of the Backbone members passed away. When we asked Backbone members how we could support them, they asked for help taking care of the dog who was left behind. I sent out an email to the CoC Board inviting them to contribute and copied Denise as a matter of protocol. When I stopped by the next Monday to make copies and pick up checks, Denise stopped me as I was heading for the elevator. She said she wanted to contribute to help with the dog and to support the youth, and she gave me some money. This is typical Denise. Caring about those around her -- lifting others, helping out, chipping in. I miss her warm heart and ready smile.

I met Denise when I was a brand new City Manager, and as the face of COG she was a resource with a friendly face, kind words, and wisdom to share. Later I had the pleasure of working directly with her at the COG. Denise was warm, kind, smart as a whip, and funny. Denise was also pretty unflapable, her steady resolve to be a good public servant served as a driver behind her patience. Denise and I often had lunch together, and we shared stories of pets. Funny ones about he cat Della, and her antics. Denise shared one story when the orange tabby cat from across the way admired Della while she looked down at the peasant who was dumb enough to jump and splat full body on the window just to try to get closer. Denise related the story so well I could envision it. We chatted about mutual interests such as gaming online, board games, live historical reenactments, ren faires, good books, and how to best relax on a rainy lazy Saturday afternoon. We chatted about family and shared all kinds of stories. Some of my favorites were about how feisty and independent her mom Mabel could be. One of the best was how Mabel wanted to change the porch and lost patience with Doug procrastinating, so Mabel took matters into her own hands. I also recall how fondly Denise spoke of her dad and how hard working he was and the times she got to visit her dad at the City of Salem. She often mused over her dads tinkering and collections of useful things, and how her mom would lovingly cook things she did not care for to keep everyone happy. I also won’t soon forget her stories about college life and how much she learned by typing up other people’s college papers, and how certain friends back then did foolish college kid stuff. I won’t call out any stories here, everyone has had time to grow since then, ha! even now I can hear her in my mind and she makes me chuckle with amusement. The hole Denise leaves is a vast crater, if not a back hole. I miss her daily. My words will never express the feelings adequately. My deepest condolences to all who loved and cared for Denise.

It has taken me more than 2 weeks to figure out what to say, and I’m still not sure that the words I have are adequate. I started working at MWVCOG about 3 years before Denise, so we worked together for a really long time. We are the same age, so that’s nearly half of our lives. I still can’t even believe that this has happened. A lot of people have already talked about how competent and confident she was at her job, and how crucial she was to the organization. She literally touched every single department and aspect of the MWVCOG organization- she was at the core of MWVCOGs operations. Denise has always been a calm and steady presence. In over 25 years, I never once saw her even a little bit overwhelmed or stressed. She was unflappable and approached everything with professionalism combined with her signature wry humor. We shared an interest in crafting and 80s New Wave music and she was a lively conversationalist no matter the topic. It is going to be a long time before I stop thinking to myself, “I’ll ask Denise to….” She was the one we all went to, whether it was to do a mailing or help with drafting an email or document. I can’t count the number of times I went to her and said “I need to write an email that talks about this but I’m having trouble putting it together” and she took my incoherent thoughts and made perfect sense of them. I will miss her intelligence and wit, her ability to handle things coming at her from 20 different directions and having a sense of humor about it, and chatting about anything and everything. Denise will be remembered as a valued and loved coworker, team member, and friend.

I've been trying to come up with words and still feel that words aren't enough. Denise was always gracious and kind. We walked to the parking garage on most nights after work and would then stand and talk before going to our cars. She had a wide range of interests and a good, quirky sense of humor. She talked of her parents often, with love. I will definitely miss her.

I had the great fortune to work with as well as know Denise personally. I know that my life is better for having known her and worked with her. Denise was honest, funny, dedicated and smart. She and i would share our love of English humour and Monty Python in those down times a work. She was a blessing to all that knew her. It is different here at work without her but the mark she left is indelible and longlasting. Good stuff always is. Rest in Peace sister!

I remember when Denise started work at the COG. Always happy.. I retired in 2001 but kept in touch with and through Denise. So sad she's gone now. Won't be the same place.

Denise was always lending a helpful hand to anyone that needed it. We shared a love of cats and many stories about their antics. She was an integral part of the COG family and will be sorely missed by all of us. I will miss her cheerfulness. In all the years that I worked with her, I never saw her angry or frustrated no matter how many complications popped up. She was a treasure.