SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF BARBARA DENNEN

S2069

2026 -- S 2069
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LC004038
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF BARBARA DENNEN

Introduced By:
Senator Ryan W. Pearson

Date Introduced:
January 14, 2026

Referred To:
Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
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WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Barbara
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Dennen, the beloved wife of William Dennen for sixty years and the devoted mother of Susan
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Dennen and her husband, Paul Sullivan, Karen Cabatingan and her husband, Mark, and Bill
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Dennen and his wife, Megan; and
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Dennen was the daughter of the late John and Irene Balbaton, and the
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sister of Richard Balbaton. She was born and raised in the City of Central Falls and was a
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graduate of Notre Dame Junior High School and Central Falls High School. She is survived by a
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loving extended family, her aunt, Therese St. Hilaire, and many in-laws, cousins, nieces,
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nephews, and myriad lifelong friends; and
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WHEREAS, With a "larger-than-life personality", Mrs. Dennen held many occupations
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and gathered many friendships throughout her life. She began in the money room at Ann & Hope,
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where she met the love of her life and future husband, and in the 1970s, they ran a successful
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small business, making terrariums. She later worked at Health-Tex, and was also a substitute
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teacher's aide in the Cumberland schools; and
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WHEREAS, Barbara and William married in 1965, and together they made their home in
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the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood of Cumberland. Her home was warm and welcoming, and she
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loved doting on her family, particularly as "Grammy" to her six cherished grandchildren, Andrew
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and his partner, Elyse, David and his wife, Rainbow, and Molly and her fiancé, Liam, Annie
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Sullivan, and Henry and Owen Dennen; and
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WHEREAS, With "a gift for making others feel comfortable and valued", Mrs. Dennen

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stayed in close contact with her friends and those she loved throughout her life, attending various
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events, hosting an annual July 4th cookout, Christmas Eve celebrations, playing cards and board
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games with family and friends, and connected through her iPad in her later years. She also
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enjoyed her pets, her beautiful gardens, birds, New England sports, music, and movies; and
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WHEREAS, The most fitting tribute to Barbara Dennen is a celebration of her beautiful
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life and the wonderful memories she leaves to those who were fortunate to have had her in their
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lives; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby extends deepest
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sympathy and condolences to the family of Barbara Dennen; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to William Dennen and Family.
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