Tierney Marie Denke

Tierney Marie Denke, 16, of Thornton, Colorado, passed away March 5, 2025, following a brief, unexpected illness.

Tierney was born October 8, 2008, in Brighton, Colo., to Kevin and Malisa Denke. From even a young age, her spirit and love of life was evident in everything she did. She started gymnastics at the age of 8 and spent several years at a competitive level. As she reached high school, she combined her athleticism and love of music as part of her high school’s marching band. As a talented flute player, Tierney was an important piece of her school’s marching band being honored as 5A state finalists in consecutive years.

Tierney had a heart for helping others and sought out any opportunity to do this, whether it was babysitting neighborhood children to being a Link Leader at her high school to serving and teaching in preschool student ministry at her church. She had also just started her first job as a gymnastics coach at the same gym where she trained.

A proud follower of Jesus Christ, she was a reflection of His light in her relationships with her siblings and family, her treasured friendships and the love and kindness she showed to those she didn’t even know.

We’ll always remember her infectious smile and laughter, the sparkle of her eyes, her hugs, her dancing and her knack for goofy face photos.

Tierney was taken far too soon and, while we may not ever fully know this side of heaven why she had to leave, the love, passion and energy she poured into her beautiful but bittersweet 16 years of life, is an example for us all to embrace every moment and live each day to the fullest.

Tierney: We love you more than words can express. We will miss you forever but, until we see you again, we will carry your bright light and spirit forward in everything we do. Thank you for being our sweet, beautiful, sassy Skibs. You changed our lives forever.

Tierney is survived by her parents; her sister, Brooklyn; brothers, Liam and Declan; her grandparents, Douglas and Deborah Schroeder, of Wellington, Colo. and Linda Denke of Cody, Wyo., as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of Tierney’s life will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, March 21, at the Longmont campus of Flatirons Community Church, 1850 Industrial Circle, Longmont, CO, 80501. All who attend are asked to wear something pink, her favorite color.

We will be forever grateful for the tremendous care and compassion Tierney and our family received at the end of her life and ask that any memorial donations be made to The Children’s Hospital Foundation.