Anne McQueen Denison

“Do not be afraid… Take Courage and be Strong” – Daniel 10:18

Anne McQueen Denison went to meet her Heavenly Father on May 20, 2022, surrounded by her family and those who she loved with all her heart.

Anne is survived by her husband of 60 years, James Harris Denison; her son, Mark McQueen Denison; daughter, Carrie Elizabeth Denison (Charles Klatt); granddaughter, Kaylee Anne Dubois; grandson, James “Jay” Thomas Dubois; and great-grandson, Landon Jakeb Coe.

She was preceded in death by her infant son, Scott Claybook Denison; grandson, Jakeb McQueen Denison; parents, Vean and Winifred Greg; and brother. Vean “Joe” Joseph Greg, Jr.

Anne blessed this world on February 12, 1940 in Dallas, Texas where she attended Hillcrest High School and Southern Methodist University to graduate with her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in 1962. During this time, she worked at a drugstore on Walnut Hill Road in Dallas, when Jim Denison walked in and grabbed her attention under the guise of being “really close friends” with her brother. His plan worked, and on February 16, 1963, they were married at St. Michaels Church and Anne began her career as a first grade teacher while Jim finished his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Dallas. In 1965, Anne inspired Jim to take on the great feat of law school, and the couple moved to Austin, Texas where he attended The University of Texas at Austin and Anne worked at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd teaching Kindergarten and First grade until he graduated.

In 1969, Anne and Jim moved to Harlingen, Texas, where he started a law practice and Anne began teaching for Harlingen CISD as a First Grade teacher. She blessed Zavala Elementary and Travis Elementary with her love and skill for seventeen years, and then decided she wanted to give of herself more and went back to achieve her Master’s in School Counseling from University of Texas at Brownsville. From there, she served as a counselor at Lamar Elementary for two years and Travis Elementary for seven years. After thirty-four years of dedication to education and the students she loved, she retired on May 26, 2001 to be able to give more of her heart to her family, her friends and her community. She was ingrained socially in the Junior Service League of Harlingen, PEO, and a member of the Queen of Peace and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and was joyfully active in the lives of her kids and grandkids, but her servant’s heart still beat strong.

“What the heart gives away is never lost. It is kept in the heart of others. Thank you for giving so much of yourself to others. You’re an angel!” These are the words on one of the cards that Anne would send to those she cared about and those she inspired and motivated. Anne was a “giver”, and that is the best way to describe her life and her accomplishments. She gave freely and openly. After her retirement, she volunteered her counseling services to St. Anthony’s and the Montessori Academy, and received a Spirit Award for Outstanding Commitment in 2006. She was a beacon for what is good, and she enriched all lives of everyone she met by trying to not only make their world better, but THE world a better place. She regularly volunteered for CASA of Cameron and Willacy County, served time dedicating herself to the needs of the Red Cross with Jim by her side, and gave deeply and lovingly to La Posada Providencia. Her life’s testimony was to think about others before herself, and to give those a chance to shine and bless them as she had been blessed. In doing this, she gifted those with her love, her support, her encouragement and her generosity by sending weekly and monthly cards, pick-me-up flowers, thoughtful gifts, and even contributed full tuition for two special young men to continue their education because she believed so deeply in them and what they could accomplish. Anne was a kind, courageous and God-loving woman who will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, helpful hand, encouraging words and giving heart.

Anne’s family will receive relatives and friends Friday, June 3, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 o’clock. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Harlingen.

Interment will be private.

A memorial reception will take place Saturday afternoon at 5 o’clock at the Harlingen Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to La Posada Providencia, 30094 Marydale Road, San Benito, Texas 78586. (https://lppshelter.org)

Click the link below to view a livestream of the recitation of the Holy Rosary.

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