Denis Marrero

Denis Edith Marrero, age 62, of David, Panama' passed away peacefully on Friday, May 29, 2015 at the Rose Arbor Hospice Center after a short yet valiant battle with Ovarian cancer.

Denis was born to Demetrio Ceballos and Victoria Eloisa Montero of the city of David, in the region of Chiriqui, Panama'.

Growing up poor in a developing country, Denis had many obstacles to overcome. She dropped out of school by the 8th grade to help support her mother and siblings. Being a quick study and hard worker, helped her to learn the English language and get employment at various United States military facilities operating in and around the Panama Canal Zone. She loved sincerely and without regret, bringing her first three children Eloisa, John and Dana into the world by age 27. In 1980, she met and married Robert Marrero, an Air Force NCO with whom she moved to Leavenworth, Kansas and in 1983 she bore her 4th child, a little girl named Minerva.

Denis was always one to work hard. She earned her GED and worked her way into a management position with the Army Air Force Exchange Services (a D.O.D. organization) as a food service manager. This was a career, which she developed for 28 years until her retirement in December of 2012. In those 28 years, she worked throughout the world and many of the 50 states including Alaska, which she fell in love with and worked 2 tours of duty there, totaling 15 years. She loved picking berries, eating the wild game and fishing for salmon and halibut, especially in Valdez. Denis also loved helping her family, and though her job demanded much of her time she found ways to help her 4 children and was an active part in the lives of all her grandchildren who lovingly remember her as Nana.

Denis is survived by 3 siblings; Elizabeth Miranda, Miquel Ceballos and Victor Ceballos. She also had 3 half siblings; Tenaura Ceballos, Francisco Ceballos and Azael Ceballos on her father's side, all of who reside in Panama. Her daughter Eloisa Saunders and her husband Daniel of Ft. Lewis, Washington, and their 2 daughters, Noelle and Malia. Her son John Marrero and his wife Amy of Anchorage, Alaska and their 3 children, Justine, Kaleb and Vanessa. Her daughter Dana Smith and her husband John of Richland Michigan, and their 2 daughters, Alexis and Haley. Her daughter Minerva Taylor and her husband Devontae of Richland, Michigan and their 2 daughters, Nailah and Lanisa. Denis also had 3 great grand children whom she knew and loved.

Denis was born into the Roman Catholic religion, she later grew in the knowledge of salvation, was water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of her sins, received the infilling of the Holy Spirit and lived life to the best of her convictions. She held on to her belief and faith in the redeeming power of Jesus for as long as she could communicate it. The following quote is from the song "Through All of It" by Colton Dixon and captures Denis Marrero, her life, state of mind and her faith. "I have won and I have lost. I got it right sometimes but sometimes I did not. Life's been a journey, I've seen joy I've seen regret, Oh and you have been my God through all of it." Her wishes were for her family to spread part of her ashes in the Prince William Sound off the coast of Valdez, Alaska and to place the remainder with her family in Panama. Her children will execute her wishes in private ceremonies later this year. Arrangements by the Farley Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home and Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family may be placed www.farleyestesdowdle.com.