Denise Wilsey Tomlinson McGuire
December 29th, 1966 - July 7th, 2024
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Denise Wilsey's Obituary
Denise Wilsey McGuire, formerly of South Haven.
With broken hearts and sadness of a life cut too short, the family of Denise Wilsey Tomlinson McGuire announces her passing on July 7, 2014 in Franklin, Virginia. She went to sleep peacefully with her loving husband by her side.
Denise Renee’ was born during a Michigan blizzard on December 29, 1966 in South Haven to Benjamin and Wanda Wilsey. She graduated from South Haven High School, Western Michigan University with a BA in Chemistry/Biology, and the Baltimore College of Veterinary Dentistry in Maryland.
She will always be in the hearts of her devoted husband, Daniel McGuire, whom she married in Franklin, Virginia; her adoring parents, Ben Wilsey of Ludington and Wanda Adkin of Cadillac; and her loving brother, Benjamin Wilsey of Grand Junction, Michigan. Also left to cherish her memory are two nieces, Mara (Brian) Baker of Jenison, Michigan and Kelly Vaughan of Franklin, Virginia. Denise leaves behind her loving Virginia Family of father-in-law, Joseph McGuire, and sister-in-law, Melissa (Keith) Vaughan of Franklin. Also mourning Denise are three aunts: Beverly Smith of South Haven, Michigan; Lynda Griffin of Blytheville, Arizona; and Brenda (Ron) Kremer of Lakeland, Florida. Denise will be sadly missed by many cousins, colleagues, and friends whom she loved dearly.
She will join her grandparents, mother-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and her many beloved pets who went before her.
In high school, Denise excelled in academics and sports, and she was active in numerous activities and clubs, as well as coaching a boys’ Little League baseball team.
Denise was an avid reader and a sponge for knowledge. From an early age, her compassion for animals was apparent. While living in Florida, she worked for Southwest Florida Veterinary Clinic and the Sarasota Emergency Animal Hospital. She founded Bat World Everglades and soon became well known for her work with bats. She presented at professional and scientific symposiums and instruction workshops. She was a published author and a leading authority on bats. While in Australia doing rehabilitation work with the mega fruit bats of the rain forests, she was part of a documentary film that National Geographic was doing. Her travels included Costa Rica, Cayman Islands, and all over Europe and Great Britain. She also appeared on The David Letterman Show with one of her big fruit bats.
Denise was a true blessing to animals and was dedicated to making a difference in their lives. From saving a drowning kitten, a paralyzed dog, or a turtle she found in her yard, her love and caring was always present. Through her dog shows, she met her one true love and best friend, Daniel McGuire. After moving to Virginia, she founded Bat World Hampton Roads and continued her educational programs and work with her bats and Bat World Sanctuary. One of her favorite things was being in the show ring with a dog. Denise was a member of The Hampton Roads Kennel Club and worked at K-9 Pawsibility Dog Training and with Southern States Rescued Rottweilers.
Denise was an immaculate housekeeper and loved to decorate for every holiday even if no one saw it but her. Her yard was a feast of flowers and well-manicured lawn. She was a tireless, hard worker with no complaints.
Throughout her travels, Denise left a trail of deep friendships that have lasted through the years. If you measure your life by the number of people you touch and the friends you make, then Denise’s would surely qualify as a life well lived.
Her warrior spirit was evident in her relentless battle to care for animals and find homes for rescued dogs. She leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories that will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
The only thing that is eternal is God’s love. Please God, take good care of our baby girl.
We ask that you join us to help celebrate Denise on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Filbrandt Chapel in South Haven. Please wear something purple; it was her favorite color.
It was Denise’s wish that any donations made in her memory be made to Bat World Sanctuary at https://batworld.org, or Southern States Rescued Rottweilers at https://www.southernstatesrescuedrottweilers.org. Both organizations have donation tabs on their websites.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, South Haven. 269-637-0333
With broken hearts and sadness of a life cut too short, the family of Denise Wilsey Tomlinson McGuire announces her passing on July 7, 2014 in Franklin, Virginia. She went to sleep peacefully with her loving husband by her side.
Denise Renee’ was born during a Michigan blizzard on December 29, 1966 in South Haven to Benjamin and Wanda Wilsey. She graduated from South Haven High School, Western Michigan University with a BA in Chemistry/Biology, and the Baltimore College of Veterinary Dentistry in Maryland.
She will always be in the hearts of her devoted husband, Daniel McGuire, whom she married in Franklin, Virginia; her adoring parents, Ben Wilsey of Ludington and Wanda Adkin of Cadillac; and her loving brother, Benjamin Wilsey of Grand Junction, Michigan. Also left to cherish her memory are two nieces, Mara (Brian) Baker of Jenison, Michigan and Kelly Vaughan of Franklin, Virginia. Denise leaves behind her loving Virginia Family of father-in-law, Joseph McGuire, and sister-in-law, Melissa (Keith) Vaughan of Franklin. Also mourning Denise are three aunts: Beverly Smith of South Haven, Michigan; Lynda Griffin of Blytheville, Arizona; and Brenda (Ron) Kremer of Lakeland, Florida. Denise will be sadly missed by many cousins, colleagues, and friends whom she loved dearly.
She will join her grandparents, mother-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and her many beloved pets who went before her.
In high school, Denise excelled in academics and sports, and she was active in numerous activities and clubs, as well as coaching a boys’ Little League baseball team.
Denise was an avid reader and a sponge for knowledge. From an early age, her compassion for animals was apparent. While living in Florida, she worked for Southwest Florida Veterinary Clinic and the Sarasota Emergency Animal Hospital. She founded Bat World Everglades and soon became well known for her work with bats. She presented at professional and scientific symposiums and instruction workshops. She was a published author and a leading authority on bats. While in Australia doing rehabilitation work with the mega fruit bats of the rain forests, she was part of a documentary film that National Geographic was doing. Her travels included Costa Rica, Cayman Islands, and all over Europe and Great Britain. She also appeared on The David Letterman Show with one of her big fruit bats.
Denise was a true blessing to animals and was dedicated to making a difference in their lives. From saving a drowning kitten, a paralyzed dog, or a turtle she found in her yard, her love and caring was always present. Through her dog shows, she met her one true love and best friend, Daniel McGuire. After moving to Virginia, she founded Bat World Hampton Roads and continued her educational programs and work with her bats and Bat World Sanctuary. One of her favorite things was being in the show ring with a dog. Denise was a member of The Hampton Roads Kennel Club and worked at K-9 Pawsibility Dog Training and with Southern States Rescued Rottweilers.
Denise was an immaculate housekeeper and loved to decorate for every holiday even if no one saw it but her. Her yard was a feast of flowers and well-manicured lawn. She was a tireless, hard worker with no complaints.
Throughout her travels, Denise left a trail of deep friendships that have lasted through the years. If you measure your life by the number of people you touch and the friends you make, then Denise’s would surely qualify as a life well lived.
Her warrior spirit was evident in her relentless battle to care for animals and find homes for rescued dogs. She leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories that will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
The only thing that is eternal is God’s love. Please God, take good care of our baby girl.
We ask that you join us to help celebrate Denise on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Filbrandt Chapel in South Haven. Please wear something purple; it was her favorite color.
It was Denise’s wish that any donations made in her memory be made to Bat World Sanctuary at https://batworld.org, or Southern States Rescued Rottweilers at https://www.southernstatesrescuedrottweilers.org. Both organizations have donation tabs on their websites.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, South Haven. 269-637-0333
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.