Berdina “Dena” Faye Gariepy, 85, of Chandler, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at her home. She was born on July 9, 1938 in Evansville, Indiana to the late Emmit and Daisy (Gillians) Winfield. Dena was a graduate of Central High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert “Bob” Gariepy. They spent 65 wonderful years together loving, caring and sharing.
Dena was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and simply adored her grand/great grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, canning vegetables/jellies and was well known for her holiday decorations.
She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Oleston (Paul); her grandchildren Ashley Richardson (John) and Paul Oleston, Jr (Adrienne) as well as her great-grandchildren, Talia, Gabriel, Peter and Paul, III.
Dena is preceded in death by her husband, Bob and two infant children, Donald and Emmit.
Cheri Wannemuehler says
My deepest sympathy for the loss of both your parents, grand/great parents. I remember when they would come in to the old Northside Donut Bank and ask for the day old donut or tiger tail! Your parents were beautiful people. No matter how long it was between running into them, they brought smiles love and laughter. Your mom at one chance target run, told me about her clown experiences with such joy. What a loving, caring, couple. I will miss “bumping” into them. But whenever I think of them I remember the love they radiated.
My deepest sympathy
Mary Barrett says
I am so sorry to hear of Dena’s passing. We enjoyed knowing her during her training as a River City Clown, where she became ‘Daisy Mae’! She lit up our class and lit up our lives. Many prayers from her clown friends. Mary ‘Sunshine’ Barrett