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Grieving Family Puts 'Happy Person' To Rest

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By ZAC ANDERSON, The Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Published: January 24, 2008

ENGLEWOOD - Nathaniel Lee released a white dove into the sky above Englewood on Wednesday as a final gesture before laying his wife to rest.

The symbolic act was the culmination of a heart-wrenching week for two Englewood families who gathered Wednesday to mourn the death of Denise Amber Lee.

The slain North Port mother of two was remembered as a gentle, happy person who loved children and animals.

Her kidnapping and slaying Jan. 17 resulted in an outpouring of grief as hundreds of friends and family gathered at the First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda for the funeral service.

So many attended that the church sanctuary was restricted to close friends and family. Other mourners watched via video from the church's Life Center.

Friends and family emphasized Lee's kindness.

"She was good because that's all she knew," said friend and college roommate Shawn Marren. "She loved cats - cats and babies, that pretty much summed up Denise."

Lee's father, Rick Goff, said his daughter was perpetually optimistic. "She was such a happy person," he said. "You can see it in every picture of her."

Lee derived the most happiness from her children, 2-year-old Noah and 6-month-old Adam, family members said.

"She did everything she knew for those kids," her husband said.
Nathaniel Lee and his future wife began dating while attending Manatee Community College, he said.

Denise overcame her shyness and approached Nathaniel after their third class. She reminded him from a class they shared at Lemon Bay High School.

"I knew exactly what seat she sat in," Lee recalled. "That meant the world to her. She didn't think I remembered her from high school."

Lee said he fell deeply in love. Sometimes he would catch himself just staring at his wife.

"I freaked her out one time," he said. "I was sitting at dinner just watching her and I was like, 'You're just so perfect.' And she said, 'You're freakin' me out.'"

Denise and Nathaniel wed in 2005. They attended college together at the University of South Florida and roomed with Marren, Nathaniel's friend from childhood.
Denise Lee was abducted from her home last Thursday. Her body was found Saturday in woods. North Port resident Michael King has been charged with murder.

Family members continued to express disbelief over the shocking events.

"How did God let this happen to such a perfect person?" Nathaniel's father, Mark Lee, said during the funeral service.

After the service in Punta Gorda, the funeral procession moved to Gulf Pines Memorial Park Cemetery in Englewood. Dozens of uniformed police officers stood at attention next to Denise Lee's casket. Rick Goff is a sergeant with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.

After Nathaniel Lee released the dove it made a big loop around the 300 mourners gathered beside the grave before flying into the distance.

Seven more white doves were released. Family members each laid a single white rose on the casket.

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