Denise Joyce Culver Speicher passed away at her home in Laurel on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born on March 22, 1952, to the late Pet Elias Culver and Blanche Carey Culver.
Denise graduated as the valedictorian of the Laurel High School class of 1970. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Salisbury State University and her master’s degree from the University of Delaware. While teaching at Delmar High School, she was Teacher of the Year and was actively involved with the drama program.
Denise briefly left teaching to become an English Language Arts Associate for the state of Delaware. While holding this position, she became involved with the Delaware Writing Project and gave presentations all over the United States and Europe. She completed her education career by returning to the Delmar School District to teach high school English.
Denise always enjoyed the theater, frequently attending plays and musicals in the Mid-Atlantic region and New York. During her life, she visited 49 of the 50 states, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, four of the Nordic countries and Russia.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Joanna, and six rescue cats. She is survived by Daryl – her husband of almost 54 years, daughter, Danielle S. Glunt and her husband David; brother, Steven Culver and his partner Brandon Taylor; Aunt Nanette Carey Corey; several cousins, and her caring cat companion, Gulliver.
Special thanks to her in-laws, Kim and David Speicher, Janice Conway, Bonnie Hastings, and Accent Care Hospice for their assistance and compassion. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Laurel Fire Department, 205 W. 10th Street, Laurel, DE 19956, in honor of the EMS squad’s quick response when needed.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11 from 1-2 p.m. at the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, 700 West Street, Laurel, Delaware 19956. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Pastor Lem Hudson will officiate. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery-Laurel. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hsdfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.