YARMOUTH — Denise Marie (Poulin) Byrd passed away in the early morning of Wednesday, Sept. 23.

For many years, she was a laboratory technician at Rumford Hospital and the private office of Dr. Albert Aniel. Her lifelong desire to become a teacher was fulfilled by her time as a beloved education technician for RSU 10 special education students.

Those who knew Denise were well aware of her bold sense of style, sassy retorts and loving nature. She loved animals, especially her two dogs, Zoey and Jake, who will surely join her wherever she is. She dearly loved her family and extended network of friends.

She is survived by her mother, Jeannine (Gauthier) Poulin of Portland; her sisters, Lisa Marr and her husband, William, of Larchmont, N.Y., Shellie Zadakis and her husband, Steve, of Rumford; and her daughters, Tia Buckingham and her husband, Jared, of Greene, Brianna Byrd and her husband, Andrew Hodsdon, of Biddeford, and Danielle Byrd and her wife, Jeb Berberian, of Bar Harbor. She was exceptionally devoted to her grandchildren, Keegan and Finnegan Buckingham and Madeleine and Harrison Hodsdon, who lovingly dubbed her “Keiko.” She is also survived by her loving nieces and nephews, Nathan Maillet, Matthew, Meghan, Anna and Olivia Marr.

Denise was predeceased by her father, David Poulin; and granddaughter, Emerson Hodsdon.

Though she was never able to score a date with Lenny Kravitz, her family sincerely hopes she finds an equally handsome and stylish man in the afterlife.