Denise Osterberg, 77, of Medway, MA, died from Alzheimer's related complications on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Cornerstone at Milford Memory Support in Milford, MA. She was born August 22, 1948 in Leominster, MA, daughter of Lionel and Rita (Leblanc) Lortie. Denise graduated from Conant High School in Jaffrey, NH. She then went to receive an Associate’s Degree from Aquinas Junior College, in Newton, MA.
On June 26, 1971, Denise married Carl J. Osterberg. Following the birth of their first daughter, Lynn, Denise was a stay-at-home Mom until her youngest daughter Beth started kindergarten. She was the ultimate DIY woman, implementing the skills that she learned from her mother and through 4H, to create a comfortable life for her family on a shoestring budget. She sewed reverse matching outfits for her daughters, grew her own vegetables, grinded her own meat, gave her family home haircuts, and canned her own zucchini relish. She volunteered at her daughter’s schools, often serving as an aide in the computer room. When Denise returned to the workplace after Beth started kindergarten, Denise and Carl worked opposite shifts. Carl left home for work at 3:30 AM and returned home before Beth and Lynn got off the bus. Denise was home during the day and worked an evening shift at Milford Hospital, returning home at midnight. Denise eventually transitioned into a career that allowed her to do medical transcription from home, which allowed her to work while her children were at school.
Denise was known to friends and family as someone who liked to stay busy. Until dementia began to rob her of her independence, she was an active member of the community and had many hobbies and interests over the years. She took an interest in the welfare of children and served as a community member of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Family Foster Care Review board. When she wasn’t going to the gym, she was going for a walk or run down Village St. in Medway, Denise was a long-time member and active volunteer of Medway Village Church in Medway, MA, singing with the worship team and lending a hand in the food pantry.
Denise’s mobility and health rapidly declined starting June 26, 2025, her first anniversary without her husband Carl. Her faithful husband and faithful companion of over 50 years, Carl Osterberg, passed away on January 20, 2025. Even when she struggled to remember her own name, she always remembered that her beloved Carl had passed and refused to allow anyone to touch her wedding ring. During her last week of life, she fell into a comatose state. She gave the gift of a last goodbye to her beloved daughters. One last time she opened her eyes for a few moments, giving her daughters time to offer words of comfort and love to their mom. She closed her eyes a final time and peacefully slipped away, breathing her final breath.
Denise will always be remembered as soft spoken, kind, and a friend to all. She loved her children and grandchildren, the great outdoors, listening to music, reading, and staying active. She was a woman of faith and embraced a “FROG” (fully rely on God) approach to life. She is pre-deceased by her husband Carl John Osterberg. She is survived by two daughters, Lynn Midgette and her husband Dan of Gaithersburg, MD and Beth Odiembo of Pawtucket, RI, and three grandchildren, D'Andre "DJ" Midgette, Cierra Odiembo and Iska Odiembo. Denise is also survived by her three sisters, Gloria Tyler, Marcia Stewart, and Elaine Burnham and brother Leonard “Lenny” Lortie.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service on Saturday, January 10 at Medway Village Church, 170 Village Street in Medway at 1 p.m
Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 9 from 5 – 7 p.m. in the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home, 3 Barber Street in Medway ginleyfuneralhomes.com .