I stumbled across a sweet card sent to me by your  mother many years ago 30+ years ago . I bought one of her paintings;  St. Vincent’s eucalyptus . This  Painting is very special to me and I view it every day 30 years later when I saw it at the good Earth restaurant in Tiburon, where her paintings were being exhibited. She named the Painting,  St. VincentEucalyptus.  I fell in love with it on site and bought it . your mother didn’t even know it,  I was on that road where she painted my painting and I didn’t realize it was that road until I was driving with a friend and I said this looks like my painting and I called her and she said Yep that’s where I painted it ! What was even more remarkable was at the end of that road was a Catholic Church and I was journey into the Catholic Church at that time not knowing that that Painting was and that road was bringing me back to a deeper faith experience.  I truly entered her painting while driving on the road to St Vincent’s Catholic Church ! sort of like Mary Poppins and Bert!  I sensed I was in my painting and I was filled with joy and not knowing what until I called your mom and she confirmed she indeed painted it onsite !  Your mom wrote me the kindest little note . Vanessa,  thanks so much for liking the painting. I hope it keeps on making you happy. Sorry it took me so long to get it to you and finally mail it.

 It does keep making me happy. Your mom was very special and loved and I will say prayers for her soul and for your family I’m so sorry about your loss. I look forward to meeting her in heaven.  Psalm 139 

Love and prayers 

Vanessa

A smile comes to my face and my heart warms when I think of Deni. I recall shortly after 9/11, when Deni had fully intended to have all of our Wetsel Families come stay at the ranch if things became worse. She was so very generous and sincere. I imagine that she is surrounded by love in her new home, just like she was on this Earth.

With Gratitude and Love,

Dana

My heart is heavy with Deni's passing. I will always remember our horse-riding days together, our trail rides in Point Reyes or in the hills of Marin, horse shows, ladies' night with good wine, good friends, good conversations and swimming in the pool. Then of course there was the beauty of the ranch...watching the light change as the sun set, or hunters in the hills trying to drive deer in one direction, and the deer running in the opposite direction! There were our "family" get-togethers with Tu Tu's stories and watching you all grow into adulthood. Mary, remember typing my masters' thesis, Janel's wedding, the addition of your kids and all the amazing time we spent together? Life in these later years have taken us in different directions, a slower pace, a time for reflection. Please know that I shall always carry your mom (and you all) in the pocket of my heart. With all my love, Aline

I met Deni in 2002 at the Cafe Arrivederci in San Rafael. She came to hear me talk about my paintings that were on display at the restaurant. Afterwards she invited me to be apart of a critique group that was one of the best experiences of my life. We met at Deni's house in Lucas Valley and laughed and talked more than we critiqued. Eventually we met around each other's houses and it became such an important group of friends.

When Deni was no longer able to drive I would pick her up and take her to the studios at Marin MOCA where we would paint with Kathy. Then we continued this combo painting, lunch and talking about life once per week at her apartment at TAM. It was so special.

She had a way of making everything seem good and bringing people together. I always left those critiques and painting sessions feeling better about everything, having soaked up Deni's contagious way of seeing the good in life, in people and in painting. Just thinking of her brings back that feeling. Anyone who knew her will be blessed with that feeling forever.

Eric Whitten

Deni and her Rosebud