Eden Prairie, MN - Denise Huot (du Maurier), passed away on November 3, 2025, at the Prairie Bluffs Enhanced Care facility in Eden Prairie. She was 89 years old.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 13, 1936, to Felix Huot and Zetta (Hilt) Huot, Denise was raised and educated in Swissvale, PA. She attended Carnegie Mellon University, graduating with a fine arts degree in theatre. She also earned the distinguished honor of being a Fulbright Scholar in London, further enriching her lifelong devotion to the performing arts.

A strong and independent woman, Denise had a deep love for the spoken and written word and built a long, vibrant career as a character actress. A proud member of Actors' Equity Association, she performed in regional theaters across the country—from New York to Chicago, Florida to Minnesota—and also worked as a vocal coach and voice-over actor for radio and commercial projects.

In addition to her theatre work, Denise was an accomplished musician with a remarkable ear. She effortlessly picked up melodies and played them on the guitar or banjo. In the 1960s, she performed on the Boston coffeehouse circuit and delighted in joining fellow folk musicians whenever the opportunity arose.

Denise was also a talented visual artist who enjoyed drawing and painting, often creating illustrations as gifts for cast members. She spent several years as a costumed guide at Murphy's Landing, a historic village in Shakopee, MN, sharing her love of history and performance.

In her final years, Denise embraced poetry as her last creative chapter. She spent seven years in Bellingham, WA, where she wrote and self-published three books of poetry before returning to Minnesota.

Denise is survived by her son in Minnesota, her sister, a niece and nephew in California, and her granddaughter in Illinois.