Denise Testa, age 62, passed away peacefully on August 29 at her home in Bedford, MA, surrounded by faith and loved ones.

She was born in Stoneham MA to the late David and Mary (Ryan) Brown. She received her B.S. degree from Boston University, her M.S.N. from Rush University and her Ph.D. from Boston College. She worked as a nurse anesthetist and was the co-founder of the Boston College Nurse Anesthesia program. Her research focused on handoffs and relationship-based care. As an educator, she positively influenced countless students with her intelligence and caring nature.

She was known for lighting up any room she entered with her positive spirit and sense of humor. She was a strong, caring, and compassionate woman who was loved by many. This was especially true at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Bedford where Denise brought her light and spirit to many ministries and committees, including stewardship, fellowship, hosting coffee hours, and making newcomers feel at home.

She is survived by her daughters, Lauren and Elise Testa and her eight siblings Diane Marcellino, Lisa Gallagher, Timothy Brown, Mathew Brown, Susan Wall, Stephen Brown, Patricia Calnan, Daniel Brown; in addition to many nieces and nephews.

Family, friends, and all those whose lives Denise touched are welcome to visitation at Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, on Friday, September 4, from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. Face coverings and social distancing will be required. Funeral services are private.

For those wishing to make memorial donations in Denise's honor, her family encourages you to select an organization of your choice that helps bring the same light and compassion into the world as Denise did. She received excellent care at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, to support their patient care and research, donations can be made to  https://fs2.formsite.com/0Cm5y0/Form1/index.html  . She was also a member of St. Paul's Church and donations can be made to: St. Paul's Church  https://www.stpaulsbedford.org/donate/  or 100 Pine Hill Road, Bedford, MA 01730.