COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Denise Giambelluca, 63, of Columbia, formerly of Poplar Bluff, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017 at Bluff Creek Terrace Assisted Living.
She was born Dec. 10, 1954 in Poplar Bluff, the daughter of Sam and Judy (Perry) Giambelluca. Her mother and sisters had faithfully supported her during her long and courageous battle with breast cancer.
Denise was a 1973 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School. She attended Three Rivers Community College where she received her Associate degree and Murray State University where she received her Bachelor's degree. While at Three Rivers, Denise was a cheerleader and basketball homecoming queen. Denise was employed with Drury Hotels as a Manager and Corporate Trainer, and most recently with American Campus Communities where she was an Area Manager.
Denise had a passion for sports. She loved both pro and college football and basketball, especially the Mizzou Tigers and the Arizona State Sun Devils. Most of all, she loved Three Rivers Raiders Basketball. She received the Distinguished Alumni Award for her support of both Three Rivers Community College and their basketball program. She also loved her time helping her father at AAU Track and Field events. Denise was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She enjoyed doing needle work and was an avid collector.
Along with her mother, Judy, of Poplar Bluff, she is survived by one son: Glenn Petersen Jr. of Elizabethtown, Ky.; four sisters: Teresa Salyer (Clinton) of Poplar Bluff, Elaine Guthrie of Fort Collins, Colo., Mary Glasgow (Wayne) of Chickasha, Okla. and Angee McDaniel (Scott) of Columbia, Mo.; one grandson: Sam Petersen; nephews: Sam Bartmess, Perry Salyer, Derek McDaniel, and Justin McDaniel and nieces: Amy Weigand and Emily Thurman. She was preceded in death by her father, Sam Giambelluca.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, 2017 at the Holiday Inn, Poplar Bluff. A Time of Remembrance will take place at 3 p.m. Interment will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, expression of sympathy may be made to Deon Starman Breast Cancer Foundation or Three Rivers College Alumni and Friends Program both in c/o of Parker-Millard Funeral Home 12 E Ash St. Columbia, MO 65203.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service and Crematory; 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65203; (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.ParkerMillard.com.
Paid