Ruthe "Denise" Fagan

A Service celebrating the life of Denise Fagan will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 26, 2022, at Hayhurst Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside Committal will follow at 2:00 PM at Mount Hermon Cemetery in Jay, Oklahoma. There will be a Viewing on Thursday, August 25 from Noon-8:00 PM, with the family present for Visitation from 5:30-7:30. Ruthe “Denise” Pritchett Fagan was born in Kansas City, Missouri on Friday, August 13, 1954, to Harry and Verna (Duncan) Pritchett. She passed from this life in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at the age of 68. Denise was very proud of her Cherokee Indian Heritage. Her grandmother lived on the land allotted to her family from the Trail of Tears. She enjoyed spending time at her Grandma Opal’s helping with the farm, the house and learning about her heritage. Mike and Denise met on a blind date. Mike was stationed at Fort Hood (Texas) and was granted a 3-day pass. He didn't have time to go home to Pittsburgh so his buddy, Gary offered to let him to go home with him to Jay, Oklahoma. Gary was going there to see his girlfriend, Jackie and suggested she bring a friend for Mike. She brought along Denise. With that chance meeting, they were married 3 months later on May 24, 1971, and from this union 4 children were born. Denise loved gardening. She always had beautiful flower beds. Flowers of all kinds from roses to tulips to hibiscus, elephant ears, lilies, her mother's favorites, hyacinths, and naked ladies, just to name a few. Every year for as long as she was living, she and her sister, Kathy worked tirelessly putting together hundreds of sprays and flower arrangements for their family members buried at Mount Hermon Cemetery. When Kathy passed in 2013 Denise carried on the tradition as well as she could despite her own failing health. She was known for her cooking. If you came to Denise's house, you were not leaving with an empty belly. She was best known for sneaking snacks to her grandbabies even when their parents told her not to. She would say, "I am not going to let these babies starve"! Besides watching her TV shows, her other favorite past times were playing cards or “5000” (dice game) with family and friends, word finds and jigsaw puzzles. When her kids were young, she ran a home daycare and was very active in the PTA. She also taught preschool at Walter Reed Elementary school and was even able to have her 3 younger children in her class. The family running joke is that Mikie is so smart because he had 4 years of preschool. She also enjoyed sewing and genealogy, but her truest passion was being a mother and grandmother. She devoted her life to raising her children and welcomed every child who walked through her door with open arms. One would say, she stood in the gap of other mothers. It was not uncommon for her to take in her friend's children in times of need. If you knew Denise, you knew you always had a place to lay your head at night. We knew Denise was passionate about motherhood but, that passion exploded 10-fold with the birth of each grandbaby. She carried on the tradition of her open arm/open door policy with the grands. Her grandsons' close friend, Garrett said it best when he said, "I would describe her as loving, it didn't matter if you were blood or not. I've always considered her my grandma". Words that her family used to describe Denise are brave, strong, a fighter (to the very end), selfless, fierce, courageous, steely, caregiver, stubborn, cherished, nurturing, beautiful, warrior, good storyteller, warm-hearted, prankster, benevolent, sweet, compassionate, kind, generous, protective, accepting, gracious, caring, and dedicated. But mostly loving. From Meagan -- I asked for a pink purse full of candy. She made it HAPPEN! From LeAnn -- Denise was always there for me. When my sister, Gayle died I called Denise and she dropped everything was by my side. From Jeremy -- It didn't matter what we had said or done, we were always welcomed at mom and dads. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Left to cherish her memory are husband, Michael of the home in Broken Arrow Daughter, Bridgette Mercer and her husband, Brandon of Broken Arrow Daughter, Catherine Deliz and her husband, Ivan of Broken Arrow Daughter, Connie Wilson of Broken Arrow Son, Michael Fagan, II and his wife, Ashley of Owasso Brother, Kevin Pritchett and his wife, Judy of Pryor 15 Grandchildren: Bianca, Cody, Allison, Bailey, Mikayla, Austin, Meagan, Nathan, Christian, Alexa, Harrison, Emma, Taylor, Michael, III, and Marrec Nephews: Johnnie Ray Earp of Jay Kevin Pritchett, Jr and his wife Rachel of Salina Great Nephews: Jordan Earp and his wife, Rebecca of Jenks Jacob Earp of Virginia Those who preceded her in death are her parents: Harry and Verna Lee Pritchett; Sister: Kathy Earp; and Brothers: Michael Ray Earp and Ronald Pritchett

Tributes

Ruthe "Denise" Fagan

August 13, 1954 - August 21, 2022