When Life Imitates Art

At the wrap party for Piestewa family home EM:HE season 2 finale

While working on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition I met some of the most talented producers in the business.  One of my favorite was Denise Cramsey, a tall young woman with warm brown eyes and an infectious smile.  She had been Executive Producer on Trading Spaces but I knew right away she had a special connection with our show.    At the end of season 2 we had all worked so hard to complete the home for Lori Piestewa’s family on the 24th episode.  It was an exhausting and emotional finish and we were all grateful to have had so many good memories.  Tom Forman gave a speech about our cast and the struggles we had endured.  I really felt connected to my “family” on the road but never as much as when Denise spoke.  With her deep generous laugh she described those struggles in detail.  She had been in the trenches with us.  I had watched her painting a fireplace in New Orleans at 3am during one of our most challenging episodes.  Not at all in the job description of Executive Producer. At the time I didn’t think she had noticed what my role was but then she mentioned me in her thanks.  I was dumbstruck and so touched.  We went on to work on three more seasons together.  We shared personal stories, hopes and dreams.  We both knew that the show was so much larger than what could be recorded on film.  The power to rally hundreds and sometimes thousands of people together for a common good was immense and Denise understood that from day one.  When our crew stumbled she picked us up and held us on her shoulders ’til we overcame the obstacles.  After I left EMHE I worked with Denise again on True Beauty and School Pride.  When I think about the heart of EMHE I think about Denise. She continued to produce shows that could make a real difference in our world.  On November 23, 2010 Denise passed away suddenly.  Like so many families she had helped her own family was left in the tide of her tragic passing.  I am forever grateful to have known her and each Thanksgiving I will give thanks for her.