Denise Christine Blier-Moholland

BANGOR - Denise Christine Blier Moholland, 91, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on October 4, 2026. She was born on November 9, 1934, in Saint-Côme-Linière, Province of Quebec, Canada, the daughter of Lucien Routhier and Aurora (Poulin) Routhier.

Denise's earliest years were spent in Saint-Côme-Linière among a large extended family. In 1936, her parents moved the family to Coburn Gore, Maine, where they lived in a house her father built-a home she fondly remembered as her own "little house on the prairie." She attended a one-room schoolhouse and was accompanied by her favorite pet dog, Doggie. Denise and her family were among the many Canadians who came to Maine seeking better opportunities. In 1941, they relocated to Waterville, Maine, where her father took advantage of a good-paying job. They lived in a lovely French-speaking neighborhood across the street from family. She held contingent U.S. citizenship as a child, receiving full citizenship on her 21st birthday.

After attending the local Catholic school through the 8th grade, Denise went on to public high school. Although she did not graduate at the time, she later earned her GED, making her family immensely proud.

Denise married the "boy next door," Robert Blier, on November 26, 1955, in Waterville, Maine. They moved to Bangor, Maine, where they raised four children. After her children were grown, Denise worked occasional part-time positions as a teacher's aide and in retail sales. Following Robert's retirement in 1991, they enjoyed camping, traveling, and spending time with their growing family. Sadly, Robert passed away in 1995 after a brief struggle with cancer.

In later years, Denise remarried. She and her second husband, Owen Moholland, lived in various places, including a farm in Robbinston, Maine, where she returned to her "little house on the prairie" roots and raised Black Angus cattle for several years. Although this marriage ended in divorce, they remained friends. Afterwards, she made her home with her son Mark and his wife Virginia in Bangor, Maine.

Denise had many passions and hobbies. She loved walking, bowled on a team at Bangor-Brewer Bowling Lanes for a time, crocheted, enjoyed reading Danielle Steel novels, and was a terrific pie baker-Robert always said with a wink that he would eat the last piece of pie so it wouldn't go to waste. Although she was always a sports fan, Denise became an avid Boston Red Sox fan later in life and rarely missed a broadcast. She loved discussing players and games with her son-in-law Mike and soon-to-be grandson-in-law J.T.

While some may think hers was a simple, ordinary life, her family knows it was truly an extraordinary one-a life we are proud of and draw strength and guidance from as we navigate our own lives and families. There is no better testament to a life well lived.

Denise is survived by her beloved children: Mark Blier and his wife Virginia, and their four children: Joseph, Timothy (Emily), Cody (Mattie), and Kaylee (fiancé J.T. Nutting); Elizabeth Buchanan and her husband Stephen, and their two children: Erin (Matthew Turner) and Patrick (Gretchen); Deborah Turner and her husband Michael, and their daughter: Delaney (Emil Atz); Susan Morse and her husband Darwin, and their three children: Anthony (Liz), Jackie (Tyrus Steinman), and Virginia; 20 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by her cousin Jeanine Routhier; her cousin Roger's wife, Jane; her sisters-in-law Claudette Bennett and Suzanne (Paul) Blier; as well as many treasured nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Denise was predeceased by her beloved first husband, Robert Norman Blier; her siblings and their spouses: Dorothy (Routhier) and her husband Robert Turmelle, Gabrielle (Routhier) and her husband Robert Marcoux and their daughters Christine Gwinner and Sandy Vilasuso, Arthur Routhier, and Gerard Routhier and his wife Florida. She was also predeceased by her in-laws, Robert and Alma (Cyr) Blier; Jacqueline (Blier) and her husband Donald Wincapaw; her brother-in-law, Paul Blier and his son Rodney Blier; her ex-husband, Owen Moholland with whom she remained friends; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins in her extended family.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Northern Light Hospice and their wonderful caregivers, who eased the difficulty of this journey with their warmth and dedication. They will not be forgotten.

Last, but certainly not least, Liz, Deb, and Sue express their deepest love and gratitude to their brother Mark and his wife Virginia (whom we call Jen), who provided Mom a loving home and cared for her in her final years. We cannot put a price on the love you have shown. Words are not enough-thank you.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Denise's Life on Friday, October 30, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor. Funeral Prayers and the Rite of Committal will follow at Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, 449 Ohio Street, Bangor. To honor the loving care Denise received through her cancer journey or her deep love of animals, memorial donations may be made to: Northern Light Cancer Care of Bangor c/o Northern Light Health Foundation P.O. Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402 or donate online, https://give.northernlighthealth.org/campaign/651206/donate (select Cancer Care in program designation) or, the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt. Hope Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401, www.bangorhumane.org. Condolences to the family may be expressed here, at BrookingsSmith.com.