Denise Marie DiMarzo Benyo died peacefully July 23, 2016, in her home state of New Jersey, surrounded by her husband, Chris, her family and her closest friends.

Denise was born Aug. 19 1962, in Manhattan, N.Y., daughter of the late Alfonso and Rose DiMarzo, and then lived in the Bronx until the age of 9, when her family moved to Hazlet, N.J., in 1971.  Always calling it her home, Denise loved the Jersey Shore, the woods, and the beach and boardwalk; and in her early adult life, she lived up and down the Jersey Shore.

In 1998, Denise moved to Illinois, where she resided until her death.
She graduated from Raritan High School in 1980 and studied at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, N.J.

Denise had an expansive career life that she loved while working in management positions throughout her life. She took her work seriously and absolutely loved the people she worked alongside. As a young adult in New Jersey, Denise worked for The Limited as a store manager, and Warner Brothers Entertainment as a store manager, opening new stores from state to state. She was also a district manager for the children’s clothing store Gymboree. Before her illness, Denise was a senior director of inventory management and data integrity for Schwartz Supply Source, Morton Grove.

In 2003, Denise met her sweetest love, her daughter Madilyn Mei, when she adopted her from China. Maddie was and will always be Denise’s pride and joy. And in 2009, Denise met her loving and supportive husband, Chris Benyo, and they married, remaining true to one another until her death.

Shortly after their joyful wedding in 2010, Denise was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and in spite of her diagnosis she continued to inspire others afflicted by this disease and working until she could no longer. She never gave up.

Denise and her husband participated in eight marathons across the country, raising nearly $180,000 for the Les Turner Foundation in Illinois and the University of Massachusetts ALS Cellucci Fund in Boston. For all of the marathons it was her husband, Chris, who ran behind Denise, pushing her in a specially designed wheelchair through the races and across the finish lines.

Denise’s faith in God was a cornerstone in her life and music was her strength so often.  Denise was witty and funny, often using humor to get through her illness. She was a warrior who truly inspired others; a generous woman whose motto was, “There’s a reason for waking up in the morning and it’s to be able to help other people, ALS or not.” The hope she carried through her own life was truly a blessing to those around her.

Denise was an ardent supporter of the organization Feed My Starving Children, for which she, Chris and their daughters, Maddie and Leah, would volunteer several hours a week hand-packing specially formulated nutritious meals for shipment to children overseas.

Denise is survived by her loving husband, Chris Benyo, of North Aurora; her daughter Madilyn Mei Sanders, 13, of North Aurora; her step-daughter Leah Benyo; her sister Marie Ann DiMarzo Dwyer and husband, Shawn Dwyer, and their son, Michael; and her sister Angela DiMarzo.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Michael DiMarzo.

She was loved and will be cherished by her entire family, who will miss her dearly.

A Celebration of Life was Aug. 20, at Holmdel Community United Church of Christ, Holmdel, N.J., followed by a brief reception of friends and family.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Joan Dancy & PALS Foundation, Riverview Medical Center, One Riverview Plaza, P.O. Box 8157, Red Bank, NJ 07701.