Obituary

Denice Sue (Cranfill) Caillier passed away peacefully on February 19, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Denice was born on September 2, 1954, in Bellingham, WA. She was a devoted wife to David Caillier and a proud mother to her children, Danielle and Ryan. Her greatest joy was being a grandmother to Mia and Zoey, the daughters of Ryan and his wife, Meagan.

Denice also shared a deep love with her siblings, brother, Richard Cranfill and sister, Sandra Merrill, as well as many other family members and friends whose lives she touched with her warmth and kindness. She was blessed with 21 nieces and nephews, their spouses and children. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Dorothy Binschus, who passed away in 2005, mother-in-law, Anna Caillier, Sister-in-law, Patricia Cranfill, and nephew, Rodney Messom.

Denice had a gift for making those around her feel loved and valued. Whether as a mother, grandmother, wife, sister, aunt, or friend, she always knew how to offer support and bring people together. She had a protective quality and spirit. She loved with her whole heart. Her generous spirit and unwavering devotion to family left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.

As a proud member of the Bellingham High School Class of 1972, Denice loved hosting gatherings and entertaining friends and family. Her home was filled with laughter, delicious food, and a welcoming energy that made everyone feel at ease.

For 24 years, Denice worked as a server at Arlis’s Restaurant, where she became affectionately known as “Mama.” She made each customer feel like family, offering them a warm smile and making them feel special. When her son, Ryan, purchased Arlis’s in 2005, Denice continued to serve the community with the same love and dedication until her retirement in 2016. Her daughter, Danielle, who now manages Arlis’s, carries on Denice’s legacy, providing the same care and generosity that her mom always did. Denice’s presence will be deeply missed, but her love and spirit will live on through all of us who were lucky enough to know her.

A service to celebrate Denice’s life will be held on March 14, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Moles Funeral Home, located at 2465 Lakeway Drive in Bellingham, WA.