It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce that heaven has a new angel: Denise Pelletier Royal. At age 64, she was not ready for the journey as she had much more to do with us here on Earth. She fought strong and hard to conquer cancer and stayed with us longer than any statistics would support. She has joined our dad, who succumbed to the same disease long ago, and will also be reunited with many relatives and friends who went before her. We miss her terribly already.

Denise began her life in Beverly, Mass., the oldest of four children to Lorraine and the late Raymond Pelletier. As the first granddaughter, she was adored for her “cupie-doll” face and her cute little walk (and I might add, probably a little spoiled, at least at first, until her brother Paul came along just over a year later). The two enjoyed a typical 1960s childhood until brother Marc was born a few years later. His severe special needs turned the Pelletier household upside down, but all the while building the caring, loving character that would become Denise’s trademark. Lorraine and Raymond were strong advocates for Marc so the whole family participated in his care, and when “little sis” Michelle came along soon after that added more caregiving to the mix. With Denise being almost 10 years old at the time, Michelle became her “doll”, and from then on, “big sis” was a title worn with honor and dedication.

The family moved to Peabody, Mass., in 1970, where Denise later attended Bishop Fenwick High School. Throughout this time, she made many new friends – like lifelong friend Mark Belleau and now sister-in-law Caren (Winchell) Pelletier. College saw Denise at Salem State University where she majored in psychology and computer science. Her career took her to jobs in IT with Marshalls, TJ Maxx and finally Bank of America where she had most recently been senior vice president of technology. She had retired from her successful career in 2020 upon her diagnosis.

Her greatest joy was her son, Matthew Raymond Royal, who was born in 1990. After her marriage ended, she worked tirelessly as a single parent to ensure that Matthew had everything he needed to succeed. Through boy scouts, summer camps, baseball, marching band, first jobs, first dates and high school and college, Denise was his greatest advocate and “the wind beneath his wings”. They shared a home together in Salem, Mass., and were a team. Denise’s long-time boyfriend Paul Lacritz was a surrogate dad for many years, and the three enjoyed some good times, and some very interesting debates about life and its lessons. Denise was happy to see Matthew find his lifelong love, Carolyn Schweitzer, to whom he is now engaged.

Once an empty nester, Denise moved to Rowley to be closer to siblings Paul and Michelle and their spouses and her four nephews whom she adored as her own. With Michael and Christopher (Paul and Caren Pelletier’s sons), there were many dinners out together, special shopping trips and drives to scenic vistas. With Hayden and Dylan (Michelle and Tim Marshall’s sons) there were visits on Nana nights every Tuesday, yearly trips to Lincoln, N.H., and countless visits for family dinners. She was godmother to Dylan, whom she affectionately nicknamed “bundle”. She was always interested in what her nephews were doing and saw them as much as she could, and they loved her to pieces.

Denise was a lover of the beach and ocean and would never say no to a beach excursion. She often visited Ogunquit and most recently lived in Newburyport where she enjoyed the seaside and ocean offerings. Her home was lovingly decorated in ocean blues and greens, adorned with seashells, mermaids, octopi and more. This was also reflected in her West Palm Beach, Fla., residence – bright and airy and welcoming. All were invited to go and enjoy and share life in the sunshine there with her.

She was taken too early from us, however she has left indelible marks on our lives and in our hearts through her caring ways. If you mentioned you liked something in front of her, within a week she’d have it delivered to your door; if you told her you’d like to see her but would be late, she’d leave the door open for you, accepting your visit with open arms at any time; if you invited her to go anywhere, she’d say yes and do her best to get there. She was a guide to spirituality, meditation and more positive thinking as she became sicker, and she was amazingly brave and very strong and smart in advocating for her own care. On many nights, we sat with her saying prayers – her favorite being the serenity prayer. She put that into practice many, many times and it gave her strength.

Denise was a wonderful human being and an amazing sister, mother, daughter, sister-in-law, colleague and friend. She has taken pieces of our hearts with her, and every single day we will think of her and treasure the time we had with her. We have been blessed to have her in our lives. Rest in peace dear Denise.

Denise was the daughter of Lorraine (Girard) and the late Raymond Pelletier, and the stepdaughter of the late Gerard Ouellette. She is also survived by her son Matthew Royal and fiancé Carolyn Schweitzer, brother Paul Pelletier and wife Caren, brother Marc Pelletier, sister Michelle Pelletier Marshall and husband Timothy, and her nephews Michael and Christopher Pelletier, and Hayden Marshall and his wife Ashley, and Dylan Marshall. Stepsiblings include Patricia Ouellette and Brian Ouellette.

Services will be held at Conway Cahill Brodeur Funeral Home at 82 Lynn Street, Peabody. Wake will be on Monday, March 13 from 4 to 6 p.m., with a funeral at 11 a.m. the following day, followed by a burial at St. Mary’s in Salem, Mass. In lieu of flowers, Denise requested that donations go to the Plummer Youth Promise. Donations should be sent to: Plummer Youth Promise, 37 Winter Island Road, Salem, Mass. 01970, or through www.plummeryouthpromise.org. Please mark the donation in memory of: Denise Pelletier Royal.