Couple offers tribute to waitress

To the editor:

This is in tribute to Denise Enis, who was a server at Richard's Family Restaurant for over 30 years. Denise passed away Sept. 19.

Our family, the Morehous family, has been dining at Richards Restaurant for over 50 years. When Bob and I came up to visit during our working years, the family tradition was to go to Richards after church for a fried chicken dinner. We always had to get a large table (seven kids, two parents, plus spouses and friends made a big group). The tradition ended when Bob’s mother, Peg, was laid low by cancer. For many years our visits became fewer because we were mainly occupied with taking care of both my parents.

Then, in 2016, after the death of my mother, we returned to reside in Portland. Richards became our new home away from home. We would eat there at least once a week.

At first, we felt like the new kids on the block. Everyone seemed to know everyone else. However, we were soon greeted by a few friendly faces at Richards. Denise Enis was the first. She always welcomed us like family and would take time to talk about local events and ask us questions about how we were doing.

Denise and Carol Green, our sister and Denise’s neighbor, helped us to become part of the gang of locals and gave names and associations to many of the people who now seem like family. If it hadn’t been for Denise’s great service friendliness and TLC, we might never have felt entirely comfortable and at home in the Portland community.

Denise, we are sure you are in Heaven looking down on us and making sure the new waitresses take good care of us. We will never forget you. We called you "the world's best waitress.”

Vivian and Bob Morehous

Portland