Denise “Dee” Shea
Denise “Dee” Shea, 78, resident of Hudson, NH, died on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the St. Joseph Hospital, Nashua, NH, after a short period of declining health.
She was born on June 13, 1948, in Manchester, NH, the daughter of the late Bertrand and Cecile (Gagnon) Paquette. Dee graduated from Notre Dame College in Manchester, and achieved a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Riviere College in Manchester.
A born educator, Dee was a highly regarded third grade teacher for over thirty years in classrooms at Wilson Street School in Manchester, and most recently at Dr. Crisp Elementary School in Nashua. With her love for teaching, she still found her way back to the classroom after retirement by volunteering her time and expertise with fellow teachers. Dee was known for bringing her classroom to life by blending her cooking skills into her lessons – a creative approach that was always a big hit with her students. She was a big advocate for developing partnerships between the classroom and the community. In 1994, she won The Community School Partnership award for integrating her classroom with The Hunt Community in Nashua.
In the mid-1980’s, Dee took a leave of absence from the classroom to pursue her passion for cooking. Alongside her husband, Bill, she began her culinary career by selling home-baked goods at local farm stands and Old Home Day celebrations, and specialty pasta salads at local Market Basket stores. Her “Apple Pie Pizza” was a huge favorite. This hobby quickly grew into a full-scale business called “Creative Cuisine,” with a gourmet shop and catering division located in Londonderry. High-end clientele included local businesses and politicians, a NH Governor, and even a U.S. President during primary seasons. The catering business caught the eye of Boston TV show “Chronicle,” where “Creative Cuisine” was featured as a start-up success story. Dee was a member of the Professional Chefs of New Hampshire.
Dee loved Cape Cod – early in their marriage, she and Bill spent 15 summers in Falmouth. In the years that followed, she greatly looked forward to vacationing on the Cape with family and friends, highlighted by boating on the waters of Vineyard Sound to Martha’s Vineyard, walking the scenic Shining Sea Bikeway to Woods Hole, and visiting the beautiful Spohr Gardens. A passionate gardener, Dee was a go-to member of her community landscape committee and took great pride in the beautiful flowers and gardens that surrounded her home. Herbs from her patio garden were always incorporated into her home-made meals. Dee was always looking to give back to the community, having volunteered at Home Health & Hospice Care, and most recently at the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter.
Dee was incredibly warm and welcoming, and always had a beautiful smile. She was a lifetime fitness enthusiast who fully enjoyed aerobics, pilates and tap dancing, which stemmed from her early dance background as a child.
Survivors include her loving husband, Bill Shea, and her son, Craig Shea, both of Hudson.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the St. Kathryn Church, 4 Dracut Road, Hudson, NH. Burial will be private at a later date.
In accordance with her wishes, flowers are greatly appreciated and can be sent directly to the church. If you wish a donation in her memory, it can be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org To share an online message of condolence, please visit www.dumontsullivan.com The Dumont-Sullivan Funeral Home in Hudson is in charge of arrangements.