Obituary of Denise Lynn Labardee-Irwin

Denise Lynn Freshour was born on March 29, 1962, in Tecumseh, Michigan. She was one of three daughters born to Mickey Freshour and Charlotte (Busz) Freshour. Denise attended Dundee Community Schools. She continued her education at Monroe County Community College and Eastern Michigan University where she earned a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts.  

Denise was proud to be licensed in the State of Michigan as a therapist and counselor. Her caring nature led her to become a substance abuse counselor at Harbor Light where she was employed until she could no longer work.  

Denise was blessed with the birth of two sons, Christian and Zachary. She was married to Daniel Labardee. After his passing, Denise wed Steven Irwin. A lifelong resident of Dundee, she loved any DDA event like the Mayfly Music Festival or Pumpkin Palooza. Denise enjoyed soaking in the sunshine, always exclaiming that any weather forecast below eighty-five degrees was too chilly!

Denise was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1986 and then spent much of her time volunteering for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She had an eye for design and loved to see her ideas come to fruition, often becoming the overseer of the project she started, which Steven gladly completed. Denise also had a great appreciation for the simple pleasures in life. A hot cup of coffee and an oatmeal raisin cookie or Bell Stone Toffee were all it took to put a smile on her face.

Denise Lynn Labardee-Irwin, age 61, of Dundee, Michigan passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor with family by her side. Her passing was preceded by her mother: Charlotte Freshour and her late husband: Daniel Labardee.

To cherish her memory, she leaves her beloved husband: Steven Irwin; two sons: Christian (Jacquelyn) Freshour and Zachary (Corinne) Labardee, both of Dundee; her five beloved grandchildren: Westin Freshour, Kylor Freshour, Ayla Freshour, Natalie Labardee, and Harvey Labardee; her father: Mickey Freshour; two sisters: Dana (Rick) Strickler and Danette (Mark) Masserant; and her beloved canine companion: “Chance”, a Boxer-Great Dane mix.  

Friends may gather on Wednesday; January 31, 2024, from 2:00pm until 7:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156. A Celebration of Denise’s Life will be held at 11:00am on Friday; February 2, 2024, at Crossroads Community Church; 6960 Sylvania-Petersburg Road, Ottawa Lake, Michigan 49267. 

Memorial contributions in honor of Denise may be directed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society https://donate.nationalmssociety.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=426916. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.