Resident of Brentwood

Sheila May Denham passed away peacefully on October 10th, 2024, in Walnut Creek, California. She is survived by her 3 children Candace Denham Carlisle of Berkeley, California, Keith Denham of Reno, Nevada and Kathleen (Les) Putnam of Brentwood, California along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Sheila was born in Oakland, CA in 1938 and was raised by her adoptive family in San Francisco. In the early 1950’s she met her late husband Michael E. Denham at the El Rey Theatre, San Francisco, when they were in junior high school and the two were inseparable from that moment forward. After graduating high school in 1957 Sheila married Michael and they went on to live in Florida, Texas, and San Diego while Michael served in the Navy.

When Michael began his career as apilot flying for Pan Am Airways the couple settled in Walnut Creek to raise their growing family. Sheila was an expert chef who learned elaborate dishes by sheer determination and regularly prepared elegant meals for her family. Her homemade raviolis were more anticipated than the turkey at family events and their preparation became a joyful group effort by all those that arrived early to help. Every December, her kitchen became a mini bread factory, as she created massive amounts of her renowned Christmas brioche to gift to her friends and relatives.

In addition to being a great chef she was an amazing quilter and made clothing and quilts for all her children and grandchildren.

Sheila was an accomplished Docent at John Muir Hospital during the 1980’s where she was responsible for leading educational tours to high value donors -an important revenue stream for a private hospital.

Sheila had many adventures with her family, all of which gave her immense joy. She often stated her grandchildren were the light of her life and was thrilled to be an important part of their lives. Sheila and Michael later moved to Brentwood, CA to be close to their grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association in Sheila’s name.