sharing....

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From Marina Obermaier

It took so long to post this Denise because I’m still struggling with the reality that you’re gone. There’s a finality to these words I’ve avoided - no follow up conversation to clarify meaning, inflection, tone. No give and take. These words, Denise, also can’t capture the reality shaking sadness that descended upon us when we learned of your untimely death. There’s a natural order to things, and losses that defy that order hurt that much more. Joe and I miss you so very much. I can’t imagine the shock and grief your family are working through. Our thoughts are with you and with them daily.

All those weeks and months we didn’t talk were wasted opportunities to laugh, bitch, and offer support. My mom’s cancer has come back. I think your battle with Cancer scared me on some fundamental level and I let the distractions of daily life put off that email I always meant to send, or that call I always meant to place. I’m sorry for the gaps. I guess I thought there would always be another time, later on, to reconnect.

When we did catch up after a long hiatus, though, it was always great. Our friendship was strong enough to bridge those gaps and we wasted no time in recriminations our doubt. What a relief! There’s an essential honesty and genuine quality to you that I’ve found in few others. A goodness that was selfless without being naive.

You gave of yourself openly, without pretense, and I think that honest approach encourages a reciprocity in how we related to you. I always felt at home with you. Never felt you would judge me but take me as I am, warts and all.

The memories will be with us always.

They may not be the most pithy, but these are the memories that stand out for me.

Your smile. The tip of your tongue would stick out between your teeth often when you smiled. It was charming. Your humor was wry.

Contrasts. There was a traditional, homey, quiet, and almost shy Denise contrasted to the counterculture, international, avant guarde artistic side of you.

Volleyball. We met playing volleyball in Forest Hills, in that time of our lives Joe and I refer to as BC (before children). It wasn’t a competitive league, but we all did our best and had a blast. I remember your powerful serve and the nickname you acquired: “Diesel.” We were not the best of athletes, and I think we suffered a good measure of teasing from our more able teammates, but we took it in stride and never let losing get in the way of our fun. The sport carried over to Freeport and we met Jack and Ruth.

Church. I remember choir performances at which you accompanied us with the Oboe. I think we even got you to sing one year! You were not proud of your voice, but it was lovely. You also really enjoy the work you did accompanying another church choir. Your genuine connection to and interest others transcended age.

You were always so great with the kids. They warmed up to and took to you though you were not as much a regular part of their lives as we both would have hoped. I think you projected a calm, an inner peace they connected to. You let them come to you at their own pace, were silly and loving with them.

Style. You loved really funky shoes. You wore dramatic liquid eyeliner – I marveled at the steady hand it must have taken to artfully apply it! I loved your apartment filled with pieces from friends and family. Homey.

You were never pretentious, interesting a real individual.

I think of hospitality and warmth. We always felt welcome and comfortable in your presence. Your creativity didn’t end with your music, I still have some home made soaps you gave me when Katchi was born…They finally just washed down to the decorative plastic baby pin you’d inserted. You were also a great cook/baker..

Eating. We shared a love of all things yummy and you were generous with the sweet care packages your mom sent you.

Gatherings. We celebrated at many a holiday party together – Christmas at our house or Jack and Ruth’s. Our friends still talk about the year you were kind enough to play carols for us on the piano…New Year’s dinner party at our house (remember Denis’ treating us to bagpipes?!)

Despite the couple of years I sang in the church choir with Charlie and Eileen, I’m not religious. I don’t have the gift of faith. I don’t have the assurance that we’ll meet again in a better place, but I do believe in energy and have to feel that your core essence is still part of our universe. Somehow that gives me a small measure of comfort. You’ve touched and enriched our lives by your friendship and music.

We love you Denise. Forever and always.

Today I just miss her

It's my boys' fourth birthday today, and Auntie Denise would be here (arriving within minutes of the time on the invitation).

I miss my friend.

Pancake breakfasts, Halloween hayrides and homemade Chinese food

A day at the Minnesota zoo

A few happy memories, recounted daily by me...in college I was lucky enough to have a great social network that included Denise. We often went on outings with friends - horsebackriding, hayrides, you name it....

In thanksgiving...of my friend

As hard as it will be to go through this holiday season and into a new year without our dear friend, I am thankful for many things....

Denise,

I am so thankful that I got to be your friend. For 12 years we laughed together and we shared our lives together, I am blessed.

I am so thankful that I got to tell you I loved you, even though I know you knew it and I know you loved me, still I am grateful.

I am so thankful that I was there to say goodbye to you as you left this place and moved on to another. Your passing, like your life, has had a profound effect on me and I know you will be with me always, I am humbled.

I am so thankful that I have a second family of loved ones...the Broadhurst's,
I am lucky.

And finally I am so thankful to everyone of Denise friends....thank you for sharing your thoughts, stories, and memories here for all to read. I hope to hear many more...as we continue to celebrate the life of Denise.

Happy Thanksgiving.

A concert for Denise

Dear family and friends of Denise,

DUO Stephanie and Saar will be performing a concert dedicated to Denise's memory on December 11 at 7:30 at Lefrak Hall at Queens College.

The concert titled "Sounds of New York" will feature selections from "Stepping of the front Porch" by Denise as well as compositions by Philippe Bodin, Jay Anthony Gach, Charles Griffin, Matt van Brink and Richard Rodney Bennett.

The concert is free and will include a complimentary wine reception. We will also take donations for Denise's scholarship fund.

For more information go to our website www.stephsaarduo.com or e-mail us at duo@stephsaarduo.com

Denise, through her work at LICA, was the person who made this concert possible for us. She came to see us perform in September in Manhattan, two weeks before she passed away. We are honored to present this concert in her memory.

Kindest wishes,

Saar and Stephanie

life

I have known Denise since before she was born; having first met the Broadhurst family in 1965. I grew closest to Denise after she moved to New York as we were over 6 years apart in school.

When she moved to New York I was in the middle of a legal battle. She was still a great source of support and comfort inspite of being miles away. We actually started planning my first visit before she left Minneapolis.

The whole time Denise was in New York we talked for at least an hour every Sunday; or should I say I talked. For the last 6 years I would always be questioning what I should do next at the gym. She would always advice me even though she didn't really know what I was talking about half the time. She never complained that this is all we talked about as the topic didn't interest her that much. Each new goal I complete is for you.

It is not fair that you got breast cancer in the first place as you took good care of yourself (better care than I take of myself). You were a true champion; never once complaining of the side effects of treatment or asking why me. And it is most unfair that breast cancer took you away from this world as you are/were the most positive person I have ever met.

There is so much more I could say especially about our holiday celebrations. But in an effort to keep this a reasonable length I will stop here. Just to say you are missed very much and Sunday's seem incomplete without our talk.

Girl, thanks for the groove.

I grew up across the street from Denise. From first grade to fourth we walked to and from school together. And we sat next to one another at lunch. She brought her lunch from home. I ate the school's hot lunch. Denise's meals were punctuated by wonderful German cakes and pastries. Mine were not. Denise was generous with her desserts -- she'd give me half. When her mother discovered that I was eating Denise's lunches she started packing extra delicious tidbits for me. Suffice it to say, I've been hooked on Denise and her family for 30 some years.

What luck for me that Denise called me a friend. She didn't have to. She had lots of friends. She played well with others. I ran with scissors. Plus, I ate her desserts. But she was loyal! I was empowered by her friendship. I was nurtured by her friendship. There are a lot of us who were.

I hope my daughter (who thought Denise a marvel) grows up to have friendships that empower and nurture the way being friends with Denise did me. But even more importantly, I hope my daughter will grow up to be the kind of friend Denise was. Denise let you know she loved you by how she'd listen, and share, and laugh (that true, contagious, chin-lifted, tongue-between-teeth laugh). She had remarkable patience. She was generous. But she was also always there to challenge you to get something more out of every single day or experience. And she let you know that she couldn't wait for the fun of sharing that little extra something.

At the NYC memorial, Hugh, one of the Next Stage musicians Denise worked with, and I talked. He told me how he and Denise rehearsed a particularly tough piece, trying to interpret the work, using each others' understanding of the thing to understand it more completely themselves. He described how when they finally managed to get in sync, to make the music happen, they looked at one another, big smiles all around, nodding "oh yeah!" while jamming on. I couldn't help but think what a magical thing to share in, musical collaboration.

Driving home after the memorial I realized that Hugh's description of finding a musical groove with Denise was more than just a snapshot of two musicians together making headway in song. The ideal of collaboration he described, this beautiful, recursive, non-judgmental, non-hierarchical, almost Utopian approach to shared experience so perfectly captured what I'll remember as the essence of Denise's approach to our collective time here together on Earth. She was always up for the effort of getting a groove on -- and she hoped we were, too.

To Denise: Thanks for dessert. Thanks for the groove. All my love, hf

Minneapolis Memorial

Please join us for a Memorial Gathering to remember the life of Denise Broadhurst.

Sunday October 12, 2008 5pm - 8pm

at the Coffman Memorial Union 4th Floor Room AB&C

located on the U of MN East Bank Campus

Please feel free to bring your memories and mementos. There will not be a formal service - if you wish to speak please feel welcome.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to a scholarship fund, that has been established in Denise's name at Nassau Community College Music Department, would be greatly appreciated.

Not Waving

Regarding Denise's "Not Waving, But Drowning", marcelblog said in a comment that it was good before in its original performance on the ship, but "it's beautiful in a whole new way now."

I couldn't agree more, though I was never at the original performance. Just reading about the whole project, it seems evident that the piece was designed to blend into that context, with its nautical themes, etc. And, at least on the surface level, the piece stands alone very strongly that way. But her choice of that poem obviously could not have been coincidence.

Hearing her wonderfully crisp, ironic declamation, I smile a bit thinking she's sort of channeling Laurie Anderson. And then: "I was much further out than you thought."

::complete loss for words::

We will miss you Denise!

Red hair dye and eye liner—what more could a girl want?

Since all of my photos from this era are in Minneapolis, my friend Nick pulled this out and sent to me. (Thanks Nick.)

Laura and Denise
University of Minnesota, Espresso 22
1992-ish

Memories, and another recording of Denise

Hi all, I’m expanding on comments originally made to Keith’s “Music recordings” post. Like all of you, I’m devastated by the loss of Denise. She was absolutely amazing. My sincerest condolences go out to all her family & friends.

Denise was part of my new-works group The Next Stage Music Ensemble in the mid-90s. I met her through Charlie who was also involved with the group. Next Stage created concerts with lighting design environments, so that the events looked and felt like dance concerts. This and many other aspects of the group meant that resident composers and performers had to pitch in an awful lot of volunteer time to get everything done – licking stamps, folding newsletters, hanging lights, dragging HEAVY industrial cable up 3 flights of stairs, you name it. In addition to writing pieces and performing her own and others’ music, she put in tons of volunteer hours cheerfully and helped brighten up the room, as indeed she did every room she walked into.

Shortly thereafter, she & I worked together for 4 years with a community chorus. We made a pretty darn good team. Each week I’d attempt to conduct and she’d dive into the piano parts of a dozen or so difficult works, plunking out alto and bass lines over & over as needed. Many folks learned by ear so there was a lot of plunking. =) We helped prepare 2 concerts a year, sometimes against all odds. Eventually my schedule demanded I step down, but she stuck with it for 10 years, I think. There were wonderful and challenging times, always graced by her ready smile and wry humor. She gave me rides to rehearsal -- in pouring rain & freezing snow -- and yes, we did knock back a couple of drinks after concerts, marveling at having somehow survived. =) Her playing was always terrific, and once again, her boundless energy lit up the room.

I took this shot at the NY memorial gathering last Friday. I fondly remember the big ole keyring, but had forgotten JUST HOW MANY things were on it!! :-p They always landed on the piano rack first thing when rehearsal started…



* * * * * * * * *

Thanks to Keith for posting mp3s of her music; I'm still trying to recover from "Not Waving, But Drowning"... I also wanted to let you know about another recording that features the speaking voice of Denise. This one is a comic piece of mine for small speaking chorus, called "Don't Ride Off" (based on subway escalator announcements). A brief excerpt can be found on TRACK 3 of this.

Denise is heard in the repetitive "step, step!" pattern underneath the 2 soloists. Sharp ears may also recognize another voice or two... =)

I haven't found a downloadable version of the entire piece online yet, just brief samples. (It's about 5 min. long.) I sent Keith the CD and he may put up an mp3 of it here soon, but meanwhile the CD can be found on amazon for anyone interested. Also Nina and Leni have a copy. Later on in the piece, Denise and the other alto in the group can be heard clearly in the lines "Attend your children!" … "step on and off quickly, Don't Ride Off" … and "hold your child (step on, step off)". BTW, this recording was from a live concert that constituted the last ever performance of The Next Stage Music Ensemble.

Thanks to all for your words and photos. I will never forget the gift of Denise’s presence in my life.

For Denise

And yes, the wit, the tongue between the teeth.
And yes, courageous, funny, always kind--
and yet the words die when exposed to air
and fall away from what they're meant to bare:

The mild, the steel, the kohl, the baffled pain,
the first time, second, third, and fourth--again?
And fifth, again? Again? The grapple won,
but never long, and always never done.

So yes, the wit, the glint barely beneath.
And yes, the grit, the warmth, the well-tuned mind.
And yet--

The posture of your hands, that glance: I knew
we could be close when you peeked out at me.
Last week, the veil a darker hue, you glanced
again and saw me happy to see you.

the smile in all my life I'm gladdest of
is one that we both knew said we both love

Isn't she beautiful with her huge smiles?!

The first one is a picture that we took on one of her visits home. I jumped on top of her and told Paul to take the picture quick before I squished her!!!

The second picture is one that Emma took and I love it because she caught Neeser in the middle of one of her famous huge and infectious laughs.

Kir

So many and so few words

I had a very restless night last night and came to new appreciation of the phrase "difficult to process." I realized that it was like waking up in the middle of a thought that was running all the time in the background, processing, or failing to process; sometimes coming to the fore, sometimes receding, but ever-present. I've been thinking about Denise and her family and friends non-stop since I heard the awful news.

How can I encapsulate all that we were to each other over the past sixteen years? The answer is simple: I can't. But I can say that Denise's presence (and thank God or the Universe or whatever, or her, I guess, that it was a continued presence) has been nothing short of a blessing.

There was no real reason to broadcast the way our relationship has evolved these many years, especially in more recent ones. But we spoke on a basically weekly basis the entire time I've been here in Latvia, we lived only a five minute walk from each other in Queens and spoke and saw each other all the time. We taught at the same schools and worked together in the same organizations and sounded our private thoughts and fears and concerns off each other for years. And we reached a really good, unique place together, where we both had moved forward and both stood in deep support and understanding of each other. I will never in my life again have another relationship remotely like this one.

Anyway, to continue the processor metaphor, let me stop blathering and share some special memories that came up last night in sort of Random Access Memory, but in quasi-chronological order:

1. Seeing this interesting girl on my first day at the U of MN, with her cut up shorts and tattered plaid shirt, her Doc Martens and spiky dyed hair.

2. Challenging her to a bladder-off at the Terminal Bar and losing. The idea was to drink beer and to see who could hold off for longer with a trip to the toilet.

3. Constantly losing to her at pool.

4. Watching her skate her forms in deep concentration.

5. Driving home alone after one of countless amazing dinners at the Broadhurst's when Aaron Copland's Quiet City came on the radio as the Minneapolis skyline rose up before me. It was one of the most peaceful, happy moments in my life.

5. Going to the Chicago Opera together to see my teacher's premiere and going to the hoity-toity after party at some mansion, complete with big game heads mounted on the walls. We secretly spoke in British accents with each other and tilted our pinkies up as we sipped our drinks.

6. The day we got married. When Denise walked into the church, she literally took my breath away so hard that my Dad steadied me.

7. Quiet nights on the couch watching Star Trek (Next Generation, of course) or the Simpsons. Denise later told me that this was one of her favorite memories, too.

8. She would always take cat naps on the subway on my shoulder as I read on our way home.

9. When I mentioned in passing that my mom had always woke me up with a cup of hot coffee before she left for work, because Denise was always an early bird and I am not (how on earth she got up so early all those weekend shifts at McDonald's I'll never know), she started to do that for me.

10. Music. This was always one of the most special parts of our relationship that never stopped. But here I'm thinking about something specific. As we worked through our divorce, part of us were also working out our feelings and communicating with each other in subtler ways: often by the texts we chose to set. There are certain pieces of Denise's I can not listen to without crying, from guilt, from sadness, from her show of inner-strength.

Maybe 10 is enough for now. But to go back to the general for a moment... I have long been impressed by Denise's quiet ability to gathering around her and keep around her some of the most amazing people, so many that also feel this loss so deeply. Connee and Laura and Heather and Kirsten, the Greenlees' and the Isaak's, her oldest and dearest friends; all her U of MN classmates; the friends and colleagues she made after making New York her home.

Forgive me if I'm being verbose. I know that the Memorial is happening today and being so far away, surrounded by people who didn't know her makes it difficult. I want to be with you all and to laugh and to cry and to tell you all how much she loved you, because it's important to remember. How you also shaped her and helped her. Thankfully, I was just in New York for six weeks in late-April through early-June. I'd stayed with Denise and her mom several times during that period. She drove me to the airport for my trip back to Latvia. We didn't say I love you to each other often, but we said it then.

And Leni, John and Nina, I can't voice my sympathy enough; I guess no one can. But please know that I join the many people in offering you my heartfelt condolences and that I promise to keep you in my thoughts, to keep Denise in my thoughts, and to do everything I can to keep Denise's music alive.

Dearest Denise

Denise, Kristin and I were a triad, a "lovely clover leaf" as Leni put it, of friends. Of course sometimes only two of us would go out--K & D, K & T, D & T--but the best times were when the three of us could get together. We tried to do that as much as we could, and of course it was never enough. We were buddies in the trenches at NCC, where we all taught. Denise never had the horror stories about students that Kristin and I have, but she was completely sympathetic and willing to listen to us bitch. We cheered on each other's professional endeavors and personal triumphs.

We were Lord of the Rings geeks together. (The three of us took a trip to Boston to see a special LOTR exhibit there. Denise and I stayed with my office-mate Paul Rosa and his family, all of whom--of course--also immediately came to love Denise.)

And we held each other, literally and metaphorically, when times were tough. She was one of those people you would do anything for--except she'd never let you do anything for her. In the seven short years I knew Denise, she became one of my very closest and dearest friends. I love her more than I can say; she may be gone, but that love certainly is not.

I hope others reading this do not find this too corny for words, but I know Denise would not. When she was first diagnosed with cancer, she told me that she kept thinking of a scene in The Return of the King, when Pippin says, "I don't want to be in a battle, but waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse." She wanted to start fighting right away, and once the battle was joined, she fought with valor, and with unyielding grace. And so I want to say to her what Gandalf later says to Pippin: "The journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain curtain of this world rolls back and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it ... white shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise." Denise is in that country now. May the sun never set.

Denise with Viggo Mortensen, in Watertown, New York, September 2006

We will miss her.

I was trying to think about my most memorable experience with Denise, but it's very hard to come up with one. We mostly got together and talked and enjoyed each other's company. Our boys called her Auntie Denise. We called her our good friend and we loved meeting her for coffee and to talk about music and life and relationships. I could tell her anything, and I think she felt she could talk to me as well. Oddly, she was a as close to my husband as she was to me, although differently. They also had the bond of both being composers, although of different types of music.

The things I will remember most about Denise: Her sense of humor, her dedication to composing and finally attaining that doctorate, her concern for others. When I think of Denise, I think of her laughing, or saying something funny. She was one of my favorite people to be around. Any time we had a gathering, large or small, she was one of the first people I would ask to be there.

And her music: she wrote some of the most beautiful classical music I've heard. It was definitely post-20th century, but absolutely gorgeous. Fran and I commissioned her to write us a song cycle for a concert. I'm so glad I have that from her.

I met Denise 10 years ago, when I first moved to New York. I'm grateful that I got to know her. I wish we'd had more time together. She found out she had cancer right around the time of my baby shower for our twins. She didn't tell us until after the shower, I think because she didn't want to spoil the occasion for us. That alone speaks volumes for her character. She thought of others even in the midst of her own crisis.

As I said, her cancer coincided with our boys' arrival. And since then, it has been hard to get together. She was often sick, we were often exhausted. Denise was still trying to work and we were up at all hours with newborns. That continued a long time. The history of our friendship the last few years has been grabbing a few hours here and there, sometimes with kids, sometimes without. I'm grateful for the time we did get together...I wish there had been more.

I miss her. I know we will continue to miss her. I am grateful that I had the chance to know such a truly good and kind person.

Kathleen

a loving as well as lovely friend

I read all of these remembrances of Denise, and the thing that strikes me over and over is she was someone who truly had the ability to love everyone she met, and to be able to communicate that. Around her, you felt a wonderful, embracing connection, and anything you talked about, anything you laughed about, and anything you heard, ate, touched or experienced somehow connected the two of you together more strongly. Like all of you, I simply fell in love with her.

There are too many wonderful memories - here are some that I will remember and smile:

1. a popcorn fight with 13 composers at the Terminal Bar in Minneapolis. (Denise kept it going)
2. hearing her work "Not Waving but Drowning" for the first time and weeping
3. dinner at Babbo in New York
4. sitting with her in silence on Jones Beach and just watching the waves wash onto the shore
5. her slightly punk-chic mode of dressing - a bit daring, but always most excellent
6. the way eyes lighted up when she laughed
7. her encouragement for every composer she met - her complete interest in what and how they were writing

To the Broadhurst family -- Denise was a treasure --
I love you all, and you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Central Park, 2002 - Denise was a wonderful tour guide.

My Memories of Denise

I met Denise as fellow freshman at the University of Minnesota - we were both music majors. She was studying piano and I was studying composition. We hit it off immediately - maybe it was because I had long hair and she with her army bag and dark makeup. I soon realized this was one SMART and fun girl. Denise was my best friend at the U of Mn and we shared many great experiences together. I was so fortunate to have met her and to have been her friend. She taught me many things throughout the 4 years we hung out at the U. I learned a hard work ethic from her. Wether it was her job at McDonalds where I believe she was the manager. Once I visited her and tried to get a free ice cream cone but she would have nothing to do with it! Or her relentless studying in music theory, music history and piano. I also learned to have fun and enjoy life through the little things. She and I along with others would sit and laugh about all things silly and music related. Most of all I learned how to be a better friend. Denise was kind, thoughtful, selfless, always up, positive, encouraging and fun.

Denise played piano for my wedding - she was a rock I knew I could depend on. Seeing her up on the stage on my most important day of my life was so awesome. She was the consummate pro. Denise also humored me and played along side me on a 4 handed piano piece I wrote. I can't tell you how cool it is to have a friend that shares your same passions and musical talents play along side of you.

As I moved on to California, Denise and I stayed in touch and I always got an awesome silly Christmas card from her. We didn't talk as much but kept emails going until a few years ago. I am happy to say that she and I were back in touch this summer and that we were able to talk on the phone a little bit. I knew she was sick but had no idea she was going to leave us so soon. Denise, I value your friendship and the things you taught me about life and I will miss you dearly.

To her family I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my daily prayers and I thank you for what you meant to Denise and for being there for her in her best and toughest times.

Dr. D-Nice

It is amazing how a girl can have so many variations of her name. I myself have always known her as D-Nice, and I'm not really sure where that came from, but it seemed to fit and easy to spell. I have many things to say of our dear friend, as we all do and thank you all for sharing.

I shall forever feel the absence of that faithful Birthday card, that warmed my heart every year; and yearn for the rattle of your superabundant mass of keys you diligently carried around with you. Doctor D-Nice..... XXX

more tricks than treats....

You all know Denise had a sweet tooth, especially for chocolate. So we had this great idea.... her neighbours were good sports, and Leni must have approved too because she snapped this pic of us— we do look rather fabulous. To my eyes now we almost do look young enough to be trick or treating. Halloween 1988, Marcia and Cindy Brady aka Denise (18) and Laura (17).

The Denise Broadhurst Memorial Scholarship

Thank you

Our heartfelt thanks to all for the many emails/cards expressing love and caring thoughts at this very sad time.

In answer to your numerous questions regarding donations, flowers or other memorials, we humbly forward the following suggestion:

A scholarship in memory of Denise has now been established at Nassau Community College Music Department. This scholarship will allow Denise a continued support for her students.

With love,

The Broadhurst Family

Please send donations addressed to
"The Denise Broadhurst Memorial Scholarship" at:

The Nassau Community College Foundation
1 Education Drive
Garden City, NY 11530

I remember.....

I have so many great memories of Denise, our lives have intertwined each others in a most fantastic way over the last 20+ years.....but I guess I should start at the beginning.

I do actually remember the very first time we met...of all places at a high school dance. It was, of course, very lame but I guess we had nothing better to do, and I couldn't believe my luck to meet a kindred spirit in such an unlikely place. We became fast friends and I was bummed to be left behind for one more year of high school when Denise graduated.

Denise went to the University of Minnesota, and I followed her a year later.
Music was of course so much of Denise's life. But the music that bonded us
together was punk rock. We attended COUNTLESS shows together...and as
partners in crime we created a radio show together at the U and we were
known as "The two most incredible mediocre djs" and called ourselves Laura
Threat and Denise X. We were I suppose as the title dictates, mediocre, but
that didn't matter because we had the most fun there, dancing and laughing
and generally causing mayhem until wee hours of the morning.

After college, I left Minneapolis for England, and she left for NYC.
One day she called me to tell me she was getting married, and I told her that I was too. I agreed to fly back to Minnesota to attend her wedding and she would fly back from her honeymoon to be at my wedding. We were married 2 weeks apart.

After the wedding she went back to New York and we followed her. We were so
thrilled to have a dear friend here in NYC and it made the move so much
easier. Literally they made is easier, it was the 4 of us, Denise, Charlie, Tristram and myself moving into a 4th floor walk-up....now THAT's a good friend!!

Denise you have been here for me throughout my entire adult life. At my side to make the whole scene easier, better, more fun.

And now I have a giant hole inside me and I don't know how I'm ever going to be able to fill it. But as much my heart is aching right now I can still think of any one of crazy adventures and laugh out loud. And I know how special that is. And I know how special you are. And I love you.

When I met Nisi at GiTCYS I remember thinking wow I hope we'll be friends she seems so cool. Well, she certainly was cool shoes!

I can't even say how much the years we spent at the U and running around together meant to me. Denise's warm and open personality and incredible talent - her smile and laugh that was so genuine. She was a truly beautiful human being.

Family Broadhurst please know that we are thinking of you here although we are a long way away.

Music recordings

Four recordings of Denise's music are online for download here.  Click the little down-arrow next to each title to transfer the MP3 to your computer.

Three are from a song cycle she wrote for a "Songs About Science" concert, sung by Kathleen and Fran, and one is her setting of "Not Waving, But Drowning," which includes her own reading of the poem. "Not Waving, But Drowning" was her contribution to a concert theater event on board the lightship Frying Pan in New York City. She invited me to participate even though I have no formal training as a composer, and we helped each other out: I recorded the pre-taped portions of her piece, she conducted mine.

If anyone has music files they don't know how to share (or any other kind of file, for that matter), I'd be honored to host them.

(Sorry, I screwed this up and had to post it a second time.)

Denise and her beau, Nicholas, at some pumpkin patch on Long Island. October, 2006.

His fraternal twin brother Zachary was the big flirt of the family at this point, but Nicky took to Denise the moment he met her. She was the first person I ever saw him make eyes at.

For Neeser...

Although she lost this battle, she has won many of us over. I have known this woman for so long, it is hard to pick one memory. In our lives together we have memories that involve June 11th/July 11th, M&M's, McDonalds, Soul Asylum, the color black, Docs, graduations (many graduations just between the two of us), parties, concerts, shows, marriages, divorce, loss of friends, cancer and finally celebration. We laughed and cried together over many events, thankfully most of our tears were for joy. I have shared so many of my greatest moments with her, let's face it she made many moments great!!!

To her family, I am deeply sorry for this profound loss. She was such a beautiful person on the inside and out and you made her that way. She was one of the most caring people I have ever known. She gave of herself fully to her music, her family and her friends. I feel honored and privileged to have been able to have been a part of her life. To her friends, I think we all can say that we feel a loss so deep that words just do not express our feelings. I have heard many names throughout the years of people that she called friend. I may have never met you, but Denise always spoke fondly of her friends, so I feel as though I know a little bit about the many people that touched her.

To Denise, you will forever be in my heart and a part of me. I will miss so much about you, I just cannot summarize it all. I have often thought how unfair it was for me to loose Trace and now you to the same disease. I will not dwell on this though because I know it worried you that this fact would make me sad. Honestly Neeser, I'm just sad that I no longer can talk to you, share things with you, visit you, hug you or just be near you. I will continue to fight to help find a cure and hopefully...

M&M's make friends...forever!!!! I love you and will deeply miss you.

Memorial

Please join us for a Memorial Gathering to remember the life of

Denise Broadhurst

Friday September 26, 2008 5pm - 8pm

at the Queens College Student Union 4th Floor West Ballroom

located through the Main Gate on Kissena Blvd

Please feel free to bring your memories and mementos. There will not be a formal service - if you wish to speak please feel welcome. In lieu of flowers a scholarship fund is being established in Denise's name at Nassau Community College Music Department.

Welcome....

For all that knew Denise, this Blog is for you. To embrace each other with the sharing of your relationship with Denise. Be it as family, friend, student, co-worker or though her music. She has touched so many people though her oh so busy and creative life, that this forum should collect an array of wealth and acknowledgment from those around her. Please offer your thoughts and memories to unite us all in celebrating Denise's life........