Denise L. Schaab

Denise Louis Noemie Schaab, nee Guyot, passed away on February 20th, 2023.  She was 95 years and 7 weeks shy of her 96th birthday, Denise was born in Chateaudun, France on April 11, 1927.  She was the 2nd eldest of 5 children, 3 brothers and 1 sister.  Most of her youth was spent in the Loire Valley area of Orleans.  Denise lived through the German Nazi occupation of her town for 4 years.  Her mother owned a café near a train station and was an active member of the French resistance.  Her maternal uncle owned a coal company in Chateadudun, and after her father’s death, she went to live with her uncle and his wife.  She would later travel to Wales, to work for a French coal company.  Upon her return to France, she attended the University ‘La Sorbonne’ for 2 years majoring in the English and French languages.

Upon returning to live with her mother in Orleans, she obtained employment at the U.S. Army’s headquarters for the European supply system and worked as a secretary for the base commandant.  At this time, she met the love of her life, George Schaab, who was stationed with the army in Orleans.  Denise and George were married in Philadelphia on June 28th, 1952.  They had 2 daughters, the eldest born in France and the youngest in Virginia.

The couple remained in France while George continued to work in the Headquarters Commandant office.  Denise worked for the U.S. Forces for 8 years and eventually in the real estate division as a stenographer and translator.  With her husband’s re-assignment stateside with the armed forces, Denise continued to gain similar employment and lived in Virginia, California, Pennsylvania and Maryland.  She ended her career working at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Denise spent 54 years in the Laurel area.  Her retirement years were fulfilling ones lending a helping hand to her daughters and taking care of her grandchildren.  She visited family and friends in France, Europe and Africa.  Her many albums attest to her travels around the U.S. and the world.  Her gardening skills were well known in her neighborhood and shared with her neighbors, Sylvia D. and Michelle T.  Her longtime friendships included Simone, Evelyn, Lorenza, and Violette.  Her grandchildren would describe her as positive, determined, dignified, selfless, and caring.  Her daughter would add that she was respectful of nature, the environment and valued cultural diversity.  Thank you to her wonderful, compassionate and caring caregivers.  Denise’s smile and friendly manner will be surely missed by all.

Denise is survived by her husband of 70 years, George T. Schaab, children Corinne A. Codjoe and Theophilus Codjoe (son-in-law), grandchildren, Jeremy Q. Codjoe, Angela D. Codjoe, Alexandra M. Codjoe, Stephanie R. Brown, Stacy M. Brown, 9 great-grandchildren, and her brother, Bernard Guyot.  She is predeceased by her daughter, Michelle Schaab Brown, brothers Jean Guyot and Pierre Guyot, and her sister Madeleine Guyot (Tellier).

Memorial Contributions can be made in honor of Denise (These were the organizations she was involved with):

Ifaw : Protection of Animals

World Vision : Helping Communities

Humane Society : Protection of Animals