Chicopee, MA – Denise (Seveney) Selkirk of Chicopee passed away November 16, 2025 in the presence of loved ones after an extended illness. Denise was born in Ware on June 25, 1961, daughter of the late Frederick and Elizabeth (Hare) Seveney.
Denise grew up in Ware, educated at St. Mary’s School and later Ware public schools, graduating in 1979. She attended Roger Williams College and later studied bookkeeping at Southeastern Mass University (UMD). She worked as a bookkeeper in various businesses and restaurants around the area. Her primary interest was cooking. Over the past decade she had worked in the kitchens of some local restaurants. Most recently, she worked for Smith College dining services, where she was well-loved by staff and students.
Outside of work she continued her love for cooking. She was brought up in a tight-knit group, where every Sunday the midday meal was well-attended by dozens of family members. Christmas Eve Vigilia was filled with handmade pierogis, kluski in homemade sauce, golumpkis, and various other Polish recipes. Denise had learned how to make these dishes from the elder generation and continued the tradition by hand making pierogis for hours, also making homemade sauce for kluski and raisin meatballs every Christmas.
To call Denise a social person would be an understatement. She easily made friends anywhere she went and everywhere she worked. She could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger, and by the end of the conversation they would be like long-lost friends. Denise was an avid gardener and made time to be outdoors whenever possible. Some of her favorite destinations were the Rhode Island beaches. She was a follower of a wide variety of music and attended live performances whenever she could. She also was a lover of animals of any type. Over the years she lived with dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, chickens, and would not hesitate to give aid to any wounded small animal who needed it.
Family was everything to Denise. She stayed close to her childhood family, while building her own family unit. Her pride and joy were her two children, Nathan Selkirk (currently in Pittsburgh), and Elizabeth Allen of Easthampton. Her newest treasure was her granddaughter Riley, about whom she would rave to everyone. She also stayed very close to her former husband Neal Selkirk, whom she considered one of her best friends. She also leaves her sister-in-law Elaine Seveney of Ware, multiple nieces, nephews, cousins from the Ware area and scattered across the country. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother William Seveney who was killed in action in Vietnam, and her brother Richard Seveney who was an educator and school administrator in Ware.
Calling hours will be this Saturday November 22nd from 1-3 pm at Czelusniak Funeral Home in Northampton.
A party in celebration of her life will be held in the near future at a time and place to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be sent in Denise’s honor to Belchertown Animal Control, or the local animal shelter of one’s choice.
Please go to Czelusniakfuneralhome.com for online condolences and tribute book.
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