Denise Catherine Johns

Denise "Dee" Johns, 77, of Northville, MI, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2025 after a courageous battle with dementia. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose warmth, generosity, and selfless spirit touched countless lives.

Dee was born on October 6, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan to Walter and Doris (Jennings) Thibeault. A breast cancer survivor, she faced life's challenges with grace and resilience.

She is survived by her three devoted sons: Jeffrey Johns (Janis), Christopher Johns (Brooke), and Brian Johns (Rachel); three cherished grandchildren, Connor, Lindsey, and Julian, with whom she shared special and enduring bonds; and her siblings, Carole Thibeault, Thomas (Debra) Thibeault, and Ann (Jeff) Hart.

She was preceded in death by her father, Walter Thibeault; her mother, Doris Thibeault; her stepmother, Lucille Thibeault; and her beloved husband of 48 years, Daniel Johns.

Dee and Dan's love story began when she caught the eye of a young seminarian while driving her TR3 down Telegraph Road. After pulling over to see "what this crazy person wanted," she met the love of her life, and together they built a beautiful marriage and took on life's challenges with joy and devotion.

A dedicated registered nurse, Dee attended nursing school while raising her three sons and earned the distinction of valedictorian of her nursing class. She was also a certified Master Gardener who volunteered at MSU Tollgate Farm, where she was honored with the Golden Trowel Award for the most volunteer hours in a season. Her passion for helping extended to the Humane Society of Huron Valley, where she volunteered and rescued countless feral cats, embodying her lifelong commitment to caring for others. She was known to take in strays of all kinds—both animal and human.

Dee found her greatest satisfaction in life's simple pleasures: family, friends, nature, plants, animals, sunny days, and the act of giving. Never extravagant or flashy, she allowed herself the small luxury of getting her nails done. She was not prone to colorful language—except when seated at her sewing machine. An accomplished competitive paddleball player, she also loved to drive and, in her younger years, was always happy to "step on it."

As a young mother, Dee read The Giving Tree to her sons, all of whom remain convinced it was written about her.

Gifted with her father's legendary patience she was a master nurturer with a mischievous sense of humor who loved to be playfully teased by those she loved. She was often heard laughing out, "Oh, you're wicked!" or "You are a devil!" with pure delight.

Dee embodied friendliness, kindness, selflessness, and love. She will be missed terribly by all who knew her.

A memorial is planned for November 28 from 12-4 PM at Genetti's Hole in the Wall in Northville, Michigan
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In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to either of Denise's cherished causes:



Humane Society of Huron Valley

https://www.hshv.org/give/donate/



Alzheimer's Association of Michigan

https://www.alz.org/gmc?form=FUNSTKLFHDM

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