Denise Rurka,65, of Winchester, N.H. formerly of Oxford, Ma. passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, surrounded by family.
Denise loved working with children and devoted her life to making a difference in each child’s life. She began this journey by watching the neighborhood’s children until her own children began school. When this happened she got a job working in the special education department at Winchester Elementary School where she worked as a paraprofessional and a one to one aide. As her love for teaching grew she continued her teaching journey at both Monadnock High School and then much later in Hinsdale. Between working at Monadnock High School and Hinsdale, Denise opened up a daycare in her own home where she continued to care for children and then worked at the Winchester Learning Center. After her own children finished college she went back to school and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Education and almost completed her Master’s Degree in Education.
In town, Denise was known as Momma Rurka. Her love for children went beyond the classroom and many of the students that she taught and her children’s friends grew up knowing her as a 2nd mother. She was always available to talk to, confide in, and just be there for them when they needed her to be and even when they didn’t. She enjoyed this role so much she co-lead a Brownie Girl Scout Troop in Winchester for many years. Other than the love of teaching and working with children, Denise loved spending time with her family. Many weekends you would find her having sleepovers with her grandchildren, out with her sisters scrapbooking or watching her son and grandson race dirt bikes at the local track. She enjoyed family vacations that included; Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, Gatlinburg Tennessee, Cape Cod, many camping trips, and her favorite spot Florida (specifically Disney World and Universal Studios).
Mrs. Rurka is survived by her husband, Micheal Rurka of Winchester. A son, Christopher Rurka, and his wife, Heather Rurka. A daughter, Louisa Rurka, and her partner, Paul Martineau. Her four grandchildren; Jakob Rurka, Katelyn Rurka, Aurora Frenier and Emiliee Martineau. Along with her immediate family she leaves behind five sisters; Lena Deter, Deborah Light, Mellissa Sadd, Donna Nalewajk, and Diane Kenney, A brother, Stephen Despin. In addition, she is survived by; her in-laws, a large number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and a number of adopted children from the town that she lived in.
In keeping with Denise’s wishes, there are no calling hours or formal services. Denise always lived her life to the fullest and in order for other people to do the same the family has requested that in lieu of flowers please send donations in memory of Denise Rurka to:
American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22478
Oklahoma City, OK. 73123 or to:
Home Healthcare Hospice
312 Marlboro St.
Keene, NH. 03431.
All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral home and Crematories, 46 South Winchester St. Swanzey, NH. 03446. WWW.cheshirefamilyfh.com
