Denise Marie Berilla's Obituary
Denise Marie (Soukup) Berilla, age 71 of Lewes Beach, Delaware, died peacefully in her sleep on April 19, 2021. She was born on December 1, 1949, in Maynard, Ohio.
Denise was one of five daughters, and from an early age, loved grocery shopping with her mom Anne. Her love of food and cooking only grew. She went to college and earned a bachelor of science in Home Economics from The Ohio State University. Denise met the love of her life, David, during college, and he courted her in his GTO and white socks. They were married in 1970. They moved to Springfield, Ohio, and had their first daughter Anna, and within three years moved to Gunnison, Colorado, where their second daughter Jennifer was born. Denise rejoiced in being a mother and making a home. She was a seamstress and would make her daughters matching clothes and husband a matching tie with the leftover material. She was one of the first foodies and loved world cuisine and sharing her talent for cooking with friends and family. Denise always loved flowers and plants and cultivated an amazing greenhouse and gardens in Colorado. She always had beautiful plants throughout her home. In 1987, the family moved to Newark, Delaware and Denise began an exciting new chapter working at the University of Delaware. She held several positions and rose to Assistant to the Chair of Chemical Engineering, then moved on to Rutgers University as Assistant to the Dean of Engineering. Denise loved her work and the people she worked with at the Universities. Her last position was as Assistant Dean in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment at the University of Delaware. She retired to Rehoboth in 2012 and lived with David and her pup Nina, who she spoiled endlessly. Her six grandchildren were the light of her life, and she loved them dearly. She will be missed for what we wanted to share with her in living, life, and her spirit.
Denise found strength in life in God and God’s promise of Eternity. She believed that her life has not come to an end but continues with an Eternal Life with the Good Lord in Heaven.
In addition to her parents, Denise was preceded in death by her sister, Leigh Pempek. She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, David Jerome Berilla of Lewes; her daughters: Anna Nutter (Jamie) and Jennifer Egan; her grandchildren: Shawn, Ava, Sarah, Liam, Quinn, and Devin; her sisters: Pam Jones (Perry), Lynne Odorizzi (Ed), and Lisa Mick (Chester).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 11:00 AM, at St. Edmond Church, 409 King Charles Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. All are also invited to view the services via live stream on St. Edmond’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKBkUj3Am_hZiVsHWAxlgWg
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Edmond Society of St. Vincent De Paul, P.O. Box 646, 409 King Charles Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971-0646.
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
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