Denise Yvonne Willey

Denise Yvonne Willey of Emporia passed away on Saturday, December 25, 2021 at her home.  She was 69.

Denise was born on July 28, 1952 in Spokane, Washington, the daughter of James Paul and Helen Caecilia Roberts Chatigny.  She married Michael Allen Willey on June 14, 1969 in Cordell, Oklahoma but later divorced.

Surviving family members include: daughters, Angela L. (Richard) Blankley and Sarah L Willey both of Emporia; grandchildren, Seth R. (Casey) Blankley, Paige L. (Jamie) Schmidt, Eli U. Blankley, and Lucas W. Blankley; mother and father, James and Helen Chatigny of Grass Valley, California; brothers, Mark (Marguerite) Chatigny of Martinez, California, Paul (Teresa) Chatigny of Commerce City, California, Peter (Diana) Chatigny of Hudson, Ohio, Philip (Denise) Chatigny of Springfield, Kentucky, Matthew (Melanie) Chatigny of McKinney, Texas and Daniel (Kaleen) Chatigny of Nevada City, California; brother-in-law, David Falk of Granite Bay, California; sisters, Cecilia (Stan) Karp of Colfax, California, Regina Rodeen of Redding, California, and Delia Chatigny of Grass Valley, California; sisters-in-law, Sharon (William) Libbers of Abilene, Texas and Diane (Douglas) Crook of Olpe; along with many nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by a sister, Antoinette Falk and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Marvin and Marjorie Willey.

Denise was a secretary at Newman Regional Health in the Laboratory for 38 years before retiring 5 years ago.  She enjoyed watching her grandchildren and nieces and nephews play sports as well as reading, mall walking, and walks at the zoo.  She took care of her family in every way; she always had time for errands, dinner, drinks from Sonic, and laundry.

Cremation is planned, with a graveside service to be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at Greenwood Cemetery, south of Emporia.  Memorial contributions to All Veterans Memorial or St. Joseph Catholic Church may be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.