Denise Fitelson

Denise Elaine Fitelson (formerly Nelis) passed away on Jan. 14, 2016. She went to her heavenly Father after succumbing to her battle with liver disease. She was surrounded by family as she passed.

Denise was born in Presque Isle, Maine, on Sept. 17, 1957, to Robert and Nadine Fitelson. As a child, she traveled the world with her family (her father in USAF), ending up in Mountain Home, Idaho.

She graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1975. After graduation, she lived in a variety of places, seeming to always end up back in Idaho. She is an alumni of Boise State University with a BA in Fine Arts.

After graduation, she worked for the University and thoroughly enjoyed her work in the BSU Athletic Department and Nursing School.

She recently moved to Everett, Wash., to be with her friend and the love of her life, Michael Smith. Her last two years with Michael and his family were some of her happiest.

Denise was a talented artist. She left a legacy for her friends and family to remember her by with her art work.

She is survived by her son, his wife, and granddaughter (Steven, Gabrielle and Aria Nelis of Boise), of whom she was extremely proud; her mother and stepfather, Nadine and Neil Glascock of Weiser, Idaho; her best friend and soulmate, Michael Smith of Everett, Wash.; and her brothers (Brady of Seattle, Wash., and Tim of Los Angeles, Calif.) and their families; her nieces and nephews; and new family she acquired with Michael. She thoroughly enjoyed her time with all of her family.

She is preceded in death by her father, Robert Fitelson, and her former husband, Paul Harris.