Denise Ann Brown (Olender)

”It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end”

Denise was born on April 15^th, 1953 in Pasadena, CA to Ben and Ann Olender. She grew up in Arcadia, one of five siblings raised by their single mother, Ann. Denise attended Holy Angels Catholic School for eight years, and graduated from Temple City High School in 1971.

After high school Denise went to work in the billing and collections department at Huntington-Memorial Hospital. In early 1974, Denise met her future husband, Keith, in an Arcadia softball league. As was her approach to almost everything in life, Denise was instantly supportive of Keith’s three children.

In 1975, a year into their relationship, Denise and Keith launched a successful local business, K.B. Construction. Even as she continued to work at the hospital during the day, Denise worked tirelessly assisting Keith to serve his growing client base and handling the administrative tasks of the company, sometimes working late into the night. By 1978 the business was incorporated and Denise was able to devote herself to it, full-time. She and Keith were also married in July of the same year. They never looked back from there. Now, almost 50 years later, their company continues to thrive.

This year Keith and Denise celebrated their 45^th wedding anniversary and generously hosted a fun-filled family reunion  in April in Las Vegas to celebrate Denise’s 70^th birthday.  Two major milestones.

To all who had the great joy of knowing her, Denise was a generous, caring, funny, bright, optimistic and thoughtful person. She devoted her life to caring for others. She was a devoted wife and mother, a generous sister and loving aunt, a skilled business leader and a great and loyal friend to so many. She was always full of life, with a particular love of children that was nourished by an unassailable maternal spirit. She opened her home and heart to everyone, unconditionally.

Denise is survived by her husband, Keith, their daughter, Kelly Brown and her husband Ben Gutknecht, her siblings, Dave Olender and his wife Marsha, Don Olender and his wife Pam, Dan Olender and his wife Beth, and Dorothy Olender and her wife Jan Quinn, numerous nieces and nephews, three step-children and their spouses, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A private service is being planned for immediate family members only at Forest Lawn in Covina.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.