Teammate Spotlight on Denise Brame

Denise Brame serves as Volunteer Manager at Faith Presbyterian Hospice (FPH), a role she began in January of 2022. Denise is a friendly, familiar face at FPH, as she began serving at the organization in 2019, initially volunteering at the front desk and acting as a faithful patient companion. In her role as Volunteer Manager, she recruits, trains and manages the special FPH volunteers who greatly enhance the hospice services and programs offered for patients and their loved ones. Forefront Living is thankful for talented teammates like Denise, serving others with compassion, a kind spirit and a warm smile. We sat down with Denise to learn more about her through a fun question and answer session. Read about this dedicated teammate below.  

What are you passionate about regarding your professional role?
I’m passionate about sharing kindness and support with those in need. I began volunteering at FPH after my dad passed away. During the course of his illness, he required hospice care (in Colorado). I was so grateful for all the wonderful nurses and aids who helped him and our family. I wanted to repay the compassion and care that we experienced, so I became a hospice volunteer.

What are some things that make you feel proud?
I am proud of my family and friends. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by an amazing support system.

Tell us about your hobbies:
On the weekend you can find me monitoring curfew for my three teenagers and doing their laundry. But in my free time I love knitting, especially for my nieces and nephews. (My kids will no longer wear anything I knit, unless they are socks.)

In addition to knitting, I’m an avid reader. My goal is to read 60 books this year. I love reading anything, but gravitate towards classics, historic fiction and true crime. My favorite books are Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice – I read them at least once a year. More modern books that I enjoy and would recommend include The Heart’s Invisible Furies, A Gentleman in Moscow, The Night Circus and Killers of The Flower Moon.

I enjoy volunteering and stay very involved in my children’s activities. I am about to complete my service as president of my son’s middle school band booster club, but next year I will hold three booster club positions! Additionally, I am a board member of Highland Park (HP) Arts, which funds and supports arts education for HPISD.

What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants?
My favorite foods are soups, salads, sandwiches and pickles – sometimes I eat pickles for dinner! I enjoy cooking, but not cleaning up. The best dishes I prepare are my twice baked potato casserole and Texas Ranger baked beans. My favorite restaurants to dine at include Dunston’s Steakhouse and Café Izmir. At Dunston’s, I love to sample the salad bar and order a good steak. Café Izmir serves the best Russian chicken salad. While I like visiting new restaurants, I’m always disappointed that I didn’t just go to Dunston’s. You can’t beat their salad bar!

Tell us about your family:
I have been married to my husband Frank for 19 years, and our immediate family includes three teenage sons, Daniel (age 18), Charlie (age 16) and Michael (age 14). Our cat, Cricket, rounds out our crew. My extended family lives in Colorado and Louisiana.

How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as loyal, trustworthy, dependable and supportive.

Danette Muzic, FPH Executive Director, shared thoughtful words about Denise praising her “energy, friendliness, organizational skills and commitment to Faith” which made her an ideal and excellent candidate to serve as FPH Volunteer Manager.