Denise Allison Jackson
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Denise Allison Jackson

  • June 4, 1961 - May 28, 2010
  • Cleveland Heights, Ohio
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Memories & Candles

“Just read about Denise's passing in the NU alumni magazine. So very sorry to read this news. In particular I extend my condolences to Stewart and...Read More » ”
1 of 31 | Posted by: Suzanne Duffy - SANTA BARBARA, CA

“Denise served served our Company, Horizon Telcom, as a benefits law attorney. She seemed to be just as dedicated to educating us on the issues at...Read More » ”
2 of 31 | Posted by: Trevor - Chillicothe, OH

“Please accept my sincere condolences and smpathies with you and your family on behalf of myself and the "NH Dennehys". I am so sad to hear of my...Read More » ”
3 of 31 | Posted by: Michael N. Dennehy - FL

“My prayers are with you on the loss of Denise. She and I worked together for many years when she would come to the Columbus office. She was always...Read More » ”
4 of 31 | Posted by: kathie skamfer - Columbus, OH

“Stew, We will certainly miss Denise, her energy, and commitment. We value you and will be here for you. Don't hestitate to call on us. God Bless ”
5 of 31 | Posted by: Ronald Register - OH

“We will miss you Denise. Our hearts go out to Stew and the kids. Not mentioned here was Denise's spelling prowess. She led the Fairfax spellers...Read More » ”
6 of 31 | Posted by: The Damaser-Lewis family - OH

“My condolences rest with the family. Although, I did not have the pleasure of knowing Ms. Jackson personally, everything that I do know about her...Read More » ”
7 of 31 | Posted by: Lisa M. Hunt - Cleveland Heights, OH

“In appreciation for all that you were and all that you did. Reaching Heights has been a great benefit for myself and my children. ”
8 of 31 | Posted by: Lucretia Wagner - OH

“Although we haven't been in touch for many years, the sadness I feel over the loss of my closest high school friend is intense. My sympathy and best...Read More » ”
9 of 31 | Posted by: Orit Riskin - Sunnyvale, CA

“Denise touched our world in many beautiful ways. The love she gave will last forever, and will grow as we all pass it on. Our thoughts are with you. ”
10 of 31 | Posted by: The Friel Family - OH

“My thoughts and prayers are with you. Leslie, Reaching Heights ”
11 of 31 | Posted by: Leslie Myrick - OH

“Please accept condolences from the Jaffery family to your family. Thinking of you often, Amanda, Jason and Isabella. ”
12 of 31 | Posted by: Amanda Shaffer - OH

“Tom and Charlotte, So sorry for the loss of your brilliant daughter Denise. I had the priviilege of a brief meeting with her and you in Palo Alto...Read More » ”
13 of 31 | Posted by: BILL CLAFLIN - MARION, MA

“Wish we could have known you better. ”
14 of 31 | Posted by: Wilma & Don Lanning - Topeka, KS

“During my first year teaching at Fairfax, Tommie was in the first grade class near my room. I fondly remember checking out the new amazing sweaters...Read More » ”
15 of 31 | Posted by: Mindalore Hamilton - OH

“My family and I send you and your family our deepest sympathy. Denise will be missed by all. ”
16 of 31 | Posted by: Ellen Barcus - Cleveland Hts., OH

“My deepest sympathy to Stew, Tommy and Dorrie. During part of my working years with Stew at Bankruptcy Court I always enjoyed Denise's occasional...Read More » ”
17 of 31 | Posted by: Carol Hartman - Westlake, OH

“Charlotte, we were sorry to hear that Denise had died. We can't imagine the grief the family must be feeling. Our thoughts and prayers are with you...Read More » ”
18 of 31 | Posted by: Jim and Sue Oglesby - Wichita, KS

“We are so sorry for your loss. We just saw Denise at the Roxboro orchestra concert where Tommy played so beautifully. We are thinking of your...Read More » ”
19 of 31 | Posted by: Cindy Gherman Whiting - Clev Hts, OH

“Those of us from high school were shocked and saddened to hear about Denise. I will always remember her as a 17 year old with gorgeous hair and...Read More » ”
20 of 31 | Posted by: Jill (Johnson) Gold - Los Angeles, CA

“Those of us from high school were shocked and saddened to hear about Denise. I will always remember her as a 17 year old with gorgeous hair and...Read More » ”
21 of 31 | Posted by: Jill (Johnson) Gold - Los Angeles, CA

“Omigosh.... Dear Jacksons and Pharises, Words are hard to come by right now and my heart is heavy. I offer to you my condolences. I...Read More » ”
22 of 31 | Posted by: Arne Lim - Palo Alto, CA

“May your families keep Denise close to your hearts and know that she has found true peace. ”
23 of 31 | Posted by: Tracy Hill - Cleveland Heights, OH

“My dear family, we are so sorry to hear about the sudden death of Denise. She was so gifted, so talented and so loved. She gave so much and I know...Read More » ”
24 of 31 | Posted by: Bruce & Kathy Trapp - Haven, KS

“You are all in my thoughts and prayers. ”
25 of 31 | Posted by: Darlene Olson - Paynesville, MN

“My memories of Denise are of a gentle presence beneath which hummed an exceptionally keen mind. She was an ideal Reaching Heights trustee, deeply...Read More » ”
26 of 31 | Posted by: Patrick Mullen - OH

“Your family is in my thoughts daily. You have a large and loving community wanting to be there for you whatever your need may be. ”
27 of 31 | Posted by: Temma Collins - Cleveland Heights, OH

“My deepest sympathies are with all of you. Yours is a strong and wonderful family; I know you will take comfort in each other. But know that the...Read More » ”
28 of 31 | Posted by: Jenni Thomas - Cleveland Heights, OH

“I love all of you like family. My prayers are with you during this time. Love you much WWP! ”
29 of 31 | Posted by: Wendy Ward Price - South Euclid, OH

“My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. ”
30 of 31 | Posted by: LaVerne Jones - Cleveland Heights, OH

“Denise will be extremely missed. She was a dear person not only in her dealings with me in business but in life as well. My thoughts and prayers are...Read More » ”
31 of 31 | Posted by: Nichole Hanuscin - client


Denise Allison Jackson, beloved wife of Stewart Pharis and mother of Tommy and Dorrie Pharis, died peacefully on May 28, 2010. Denise, 48, began her career as a musician in Chicago and subsequently became a successful Cleveland employee benefits law attorney. A native of Palo Alto, California, Denise had a lifelong passion for music. She earned both a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, where she studied with Mary Ann Mumm, Myron Kartman, and Gerardo Ribeiro. Along with her husband, Denise was active throughout the Chicago area as a freelance violinist, chamber musician, and teacher, before joining the New World Symphony in Miami under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. Denise went on to receive a J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of Law in San Francisco. She and Stewart grew into established residents of Cleveland Heights as Denise practiced benefits law at Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in Cleveland. For nearly a decade, Denise served on the Board of Directors of Apollo's Fire, the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra. She was a member of the steering committee for programming for the Ohio/Kentucky chapter of the ESOP Association and a frequent presenter at meetings for ESOP employers. Denise was a strong advocate for public education and was actively involved with the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools. At the time of her death, Denise was a member of the Board of Directors of Reaching Heights, an independent citizens' organization that encourages community involvement in the public schools. She also coached members of the Roxboro Middle School Science Olympiad Team. At home, Denise was an avid knitter and gardener and a skilled worker of glass and tile. She designed and knit beautiful sweaters for her family and friends, which they will treasure; and she leaves her husband and children a house graced with lovingly tended roses and the many works of her own hands that decorate their home. In addition to her husband and two children, Denise is survived by her parents, Tom Jackson of Cleveland Heights and Charlotte Jackson of Palo Alto, California; her brother Keith Jackson and his family of Fresno, California; her mother-in-law, Dorothy Stewart Pharis of Auburn, Alabama; and her brother in-law, Will Pharis and his partner Richard Weinman of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Friends may call Saturday, June 12th between 2:00 and 6:00 at the Jackson/Pharis residence. For directions, please email: denisememorial@bearoak.net Denise loved her community and was a strong supporter of the public schools she felt were such a vital part of the community. As a way of remembering Denise, her family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Reaching Heights (1991 Lee Road, Suite 106, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118).

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