Marian Bolton
Denny.....oh, how we will miss you! Denny and I worked together at the YMCA of Central New Mexico for several years. He was an outstanding executive director; always friendly and eager to please. As Executive of the Horn YMCA he oversaw the renovation of the branch which was mostly funded by his good friend, HB Horn. Denny spent many days and evenings with HB while driving HB's Jaguar and taking HB to many exciting events and ball games. Denny made a huge success of that branch and also of the Y's Camp Shaver in the Jemez mountains. He was a wonderful leader.
I remember going on a road trip to the YMCA of the Rockies.....my husband, Dave, driving us. We attended a conference there and up and back we enjoyed the beauty of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. I think Denny really enjoyed that trip. And another time he, my sister and I traveled to the mid-west to attend a YMCA Christian conference. That was when I realized that Denny was a true Christian.
At my retirement party Denny dressed up in a costume.....a Y....and danced around to my favorite song: The YMCA by the Village People. He really surprised me with that. He said he was sad to see me retire and that's when he applied for, and was hired as, the CEO of the YMCA in Charlottesville.
Dave and I traveled the next year back east and we stayed for a couple of days with Denny. He was a fabulous host even making us a wonderful breakfast in the mornings. A couple of times he came back to Albuquerque and always came to visit us at our home. Once he brought his mother and his sister, Dawna. It was such a delight to meet them.
We stayed in touch.....mostly because Denny would always remember us at holidays....either with cards or messages on the phone. The last time we were together was on the YMCA Retiree cruise in February, 2017. At a meeting last week with YMCA Retiree leaders I heard many people from the Florida chapter talking about how much they cared for Denny and how much they now miss him.
There was only one Denny Blank: A man who made friends with everyone he met: Who lived the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility: Who had faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He had a life well lived and a job well done. May you rest in peace now, Denny. Until we meet again.......
Marian Bolton and husband, Dave
