Denise Elizabeth Penick Basham

Denise Elizabeth Penick Basham, “DeeDee,” aged 72 of Virginia Beach, Virginia, passed away
unexpectedly on May 11, 2024. Denise is survived by her husband, Richard Basham of Virginia Beach,
her son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Tanya Penick of Gretna, her daughter, Joanna Penick of
Richmond, as well as her two step-sons, Brian and Brandon Basham, Brandon’s wife Kelly and their
children Hailey Truitt and Josh Ansley. She is also survived by her two brothers, Darrell and Gary DiVito and their
families.
She is predeceased by her first husband, Walter Penick, her parents, Anthony and Doris DiVito, her sister
Lisa Facemire and niece Emma DiVito.
Denise was born in Pennsylvania to Anthony and Doris DiVito. She spent most of her childhood in
Virginia Beach, graduating from Bayside High and Longwood University in Farmville, graduating with a
degree in education. An exceptionally talented artist and teacher, Denise soon started working in
elementary art and found herself at what is now known as Fuqua School. Over her career she taught
every age, sharing her love of creativity and artistic expression to generations of students. In “Mrs.
Penick’s classroom,” art was just fun to be had, not a serious ordeal. It didn’t matter if you couldn’t
draw a straight line, she encouraged each student to find a way to express themselves. After many
years of teaching, Denise began work on her Master’s Degree in Art Education from Virginia
Commonwealth University, still teaching fulltime and traveling back and forth from Farmville to
Richmond. During her teaching career, she was named Virginia Art Educator of the year and a Fulbright
Memorial Teaching Fellow, the latter earning her a month-long trip to Japan to explore the culture of
that country. After receiving her Master’s Degree, Denise worked as the Museum Educator at the
Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, allowing her to extend her reach further into the community and
spread her love of art and creativity. Later, she was an adjunct professor at Longwood, teaching
education majors how to incorporate art in their classrooms. She would return to teaching at Fuqua
School, where she would end her career, retiring in 2013.
While a student at Longwood, Denise met her first husband, Walter Penick. Walter, a lifelong farm boy,
was proud of how a city girl like Denise adapted to life in the country. She picked the vegetables they
grew and learned to can, never shying away from getting her hands dirty. Walter and Denise had two
children, Kevin first and then Joanna. They raised chickens and cows and gave their children a place to
grow up where they could roam and explore and let their imaginations truly run wild. Making every
celebration something special and turning the mundane and ordinary into something to celebrate.
Every birthday, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day and more, Denise would create elaborate tablescapes
and beautifully wrapped presents with specially-themed meals to match the occasion. While teaching
and raising her children, Denise continued to grow as an artist, working mostly in oil paints and later
making beautifully handcrafted jewelry that she sold under her business, Personal Adornments. Walter
and Denise remained married until Walter’s death in 2012.
A few years after she retired, she began splitting her time between Farmville and Virginia Beach, helping
to care for her mother. While in Virginia Beach, she met Rich Basham, who would go on to be her
second husband and whom she called the love of her life. They went on to get married and lived
together, happily making his house into their home. They doted on each other constantly, him bringing
her flowers for no reason at all and her continuing to make every day a special occasion. They went on
many adventures together, with their two rescue beagles, Mikey and Molly and their rescue kitty, Mitzi.
A lifelong animal lover, she gave every pet, from goldfish to pony, the best care possible, showering
them with love and treats. She cherished her pets and treated them like family. To honor her, Rich will
continue to care for and love their three, just as she did.
In retirement, she twiddled and toiled in her vibrant and verdant gardens of flowers and vegetables.
Continuing to make and exhibit her jewelry, Denise never stopped learning new skills to expand her
craft. Rich built her a workshop out back that was her creative hideaway, a place to keep all her supplies
and inspirations and where she could bring her ideas to life. She left every space she entered more
beautiful than she found it. Often turning them into what she called disaster zones before the final
magic was to be revealed. Her lifetime was spent making others feel accepted and included. She
forever championed the underdog, rooting for whatever team was predicted to lose. Always happy to
lend a hand, expecting nothing in return; Denise did the right thing and followed her heart no matter
what. She stood up for what she believed in, even if it made her unpopular. She lived her life with an
open mind and open heart and never once did she regret that. A quote attributed to one of her favorite
artists, Henri Matisse reads, “There are always flowers for those who want to see them,” and Denise
always saw the flowers. In fact, she was probably the one who grew them.
In lieu of flowers, Denise requested that donations be made in her memory to the Southside SPCA. southsidespca.org/donate-online
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 17 th 2024 at Puckett Funeral Home in Farmville, VA. Visitation
begins at 11am, funeral service at 12:00 Noon and graveside service will follow the funeral.
Puckett Funeral Home is serving the family. www.puckettfh.com.