By Cary Shuman
They were friends for 58 wonderful and impactful years They attended Carter and Williams schools together and graduated from Chelsea High School in 1980.
Later in life they shared a professional connection, Jackie Bevere as the principal of the John Silber Early Learning Center, Denise Mickiewicz Tiro as a dedicated and beloved reading teacher at the school.
“We met in kindergarten at the Carter School, so we’ve been friends that long,” said Bevere. “A fire destroyed the Carter School when we were in third grade, so we moved over to Williams School and then onto Chelsea High (Class of 1980).”
Jackie grew up on Lawrence Street and Denise lived on Summit Avenue. They did everything together, joining a group of friends in socializing in Cary Square.
“We were the Spa Girls, there was a whole group of us that all got together,” recalled Bevere. “Initially, we used to go to Summit Avenue where Denise lived right across from the Soldier’s Home. Michael Thompson (a popular student-athlete from the Class of 1979 who served commendably in the Chelsea Fire Department for several years) lived a couple of doors down. We’d all meet up there. Of course, we all had to be in before 9 o’clock.”
Many of the Spa Girls continued their close connection in their adult years.
“There was Denise Mickiewicz, Laurice Whyel, Louise Casey, Alison Bonita, Maureen Mullaney, Debbie Theodore, Maria Schneiderman, Jane Zaremba, Paula Hansbury, Joan Way, Jane Kubarsky – those were great, fun days. We’ve gone away on several trips together.”
Bevere said that Denise Tiro possessed “a warm heart, was always the voice of reason, and she loved to entertain and open up her house to everybody, family and friends.”
Bevere remembered the wedding of Jane and Richard Szarythe’s daughter, Amanda, being a particularly happy and festive occasion.
“The girls all did a dance together to ABBA’s Dancing Queen,” said Bevere. “And Denise had opened up her house, so we would practice there. We had a lot of laughs. We stuck together through thick and thin, always supporting one another.”
In January, 2025, the group got together for brunch. “Two days later Denise, texted me about a health exam and her bloodwork. And then she got diagnosed with leukemia,” said Jackie.
“Denise put forth a valiant effort. She never gave up. I don’t know she did it. She was in the hospital for 45 days and being treated with chemotherapy. We all thought she was going to make it. She was supposed to have a transplant.”
Jackie said there were so many things she admired about Denise Tiro.
“Denise was smart, quick-witted, and had a great sense of humor,” said Jackie. “She always made me laugh. “She was kind, generous. We all had a role with the girls, and she was like the mother.”
A kind and dedicated teacher
Jackie Bevere was the principal of the John Silber Early Learning Center. Denise Tiro worked there as a reading teacher.
“Denise had stayed home and raised her kids, and then she wanted to get back into the work force,” said Jackie. “She had started out as a third-grade teacher at the Williams School, and I was a fourth-grade teacher.”
“I knew she was a great teacher and would be an asset to our staff at the ELC,” said Bevere. “Everyone is in mourning there. They all loved her. She was gentle and kind with the children, always wanting to do best by them. Denise reminded me of my mother [the late Kay Bevere]. We brought her daughter, Brooke Tiro (who holds a master’s degree in special education) on board at the ELC, too, and she’s now working at the center. It was beautiful to see Denise and her daughter working together and helping many children.”
There was a tremendous contingent of Chelsea teachers and administrators at the memorial observance Saturday at Welsh Funeral Home. Many were wearing “Forever In Our Hearts” ribbons honoring the life of Denise Tiro.
As people from all walks of life walked through the line to express their condolences to the Tiro and Mickiewicz families – some having waited in long lines outside the funeral home – the positive impact that Denise Tiro had on her family and friends was clear and noteworthy.
“Denise and Robby have great kids. Rob is an attorney, Rose is a paralegal, and Brooke is a teacher,” noted Bevere. “She was very proud of her children and a very good mother. She was always a Chelsea girl. She was loved and she will always be missed, forever in our hearts.”