Denise Ann Temple

Denise Ann Temple, a dedicated wife, loving mother of five, and proud nana of eighteen grandchildren passed away on May 6, 2023, at the age of 71, after a long and heroic battle with a rare lung disease.

Denise was born in Astoria Queens, New York on April 23, 1952, to Harold and Joan Copley. After graduating from Riverhead Senior High School in 1970, she went on to receive a degree in Biology at State University of New York College at Oneonta in 1974. Denise married her sweetheart, Steven J. Temple, on January 12, 1974. Shortly after, they moved to Chelmsford, MA where they put down roots and raised their five children.

Denise was a woman of faith.  She was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, alongside her loving husband in 1976 and remained devoted throughout her life. Denise loved to study and teach the gospel, most recently as a missionary assistant in the Littleton Congregation.  Denise was passionate about family history and spent her free time researching her family’s genealogy dating it back to the 1400s.

Denise was a self-taught artist. Her talents spanned from toll painting, clay sculpting, and jewelry making, to digital scrapbooking. She loved to create and make her spaces beautiful for herself and those she loved. Nana was known by her grandchildren as a master crafter and sharing her art was one way she expressed her love to her family.

Denise always had a soft spot for animals. Her home was known as the local petting zoo to her children’s friends, and she put her biology degree to use caring for various types of animals throughout her life. She was an active participant and leader in the local 4-H and affectionately named her homestead as Kuddle Kritters Farm.

Denise dedicated her life to being a homemaker and professional volunteer. She juggled very active sporting and hobby schedules for her children and contributed to her community by serving on the PTA in the Chelmsford Public School District and holding leadership positions in local scouting organizations.  She was hardworking, generous with her time, and talents.

Denise was known for loving hard, laughing loud, leading selflessly, and gracefully enduring to the end and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Denise is survived by her loving husband, Steven J. Temple of Pepperell. She is also survived by children, Melissa A. Allred and husband Joseph of Worcester, Erica L. Vincent and husband Hanale of Wichita, KS, Christopher S. Temple and wife Krista of Akron, OH and Samantha M. Brooks and husband Michael of Pepperell  and 18 grandchildren.  Denise is also survived by her sister Debra Perez and husband Joseph of Long Island, NY.

In addition to her parents, Harold and Joan Copley, she was predeceased by her son, Daniel C. Temple in 2019.

A Funeral Service will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 616 Great Rd. Littleton, MA on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends will be received by the family from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Association Cemetery, Park Street, Pepperell. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pepperell Community Arts via www.pepperellcommunityarts.org

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