Mary Denise Barnes

Mary Denise Barnes

Age 65 of Indiana Twp., passed away peacefully on Monday, December 4, 2023. Beloved daughter of Maxine Barnes and the late George W. Barnes; loving sister of George T. Barnes, Richard J. Barnes (Jackie), Joanne Barnes (Frank Hudson); aunt of Benjamin Barnes and Abigayle Barnes; companion of the late Chester "Chet" Tanski, and former spouse of Bernard McCrory.

Denise died unexpectedly after a short term but serious illness, perhaps also from a broken heart after her soulmate and significant other, Chet, passed one year earlier. Denise was born on Thomas Avenue in Point Breeze. She lived in Aspinwall most of her childhood and attended Saint Scholastica Catholic grade school and Fox Chapel High School. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in urban development planning, she joined her father to manage 4 restaurants and bars over the years, including the Forbes Street Inn in Squirrel Hill, the Craig Street Inn in Oakland, and the Grant Street Inn and River City Inn in downtown Pittsburgh. She truly had a gift of making people feel welcome and special, with a dedicated customer following wherever she worked. During these years she formed countless lifelong friendships. After retiring from the restaurant and bar businesses, Denise became a tax consultant and worked for H&R Block. She was often a customer favorite.

During the last 20 years, she became an avid perennial gardener and mother to many feral cats that she passionately nurtured. Denise was close with her mother; they enjoyed playing golf and traveling to the Caribbean and Europe. She felt laughter was a gift and its own music. We will never forget her own special laugh that often accompanied her colorful stories commanding our attention at the dinner table.

Denise leaves behind her loving family and numerous friends celebrating her life and mourning our loss, including 10 feral and 3 home cats.

No Visitation. Service and Interment Private.  Arrangements by Weddell-Ajak Funeral Home, Aspinwall.

The family respectfully suggests memorial contributions to Animal Friends of Pittsburgh or the Animal Rescue League.

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