Obituary of Denise Vella

Sharon Denise Vella, known as Denise to family and friends, left us on July 20, 2023. She was born August 27, 1946, in Bloomfield, NJ. Her family moved to Toms River in 1956 and she attended Toms River High School. She married her best friend Louis in 1968 and they had two children. They were married for 55 loving years. After raising her family, she reentered the workforce as a Bookkeeper for Arthur Mayer Auto Parts then as a buyer for the Meridian at Riverview Hospital. She retired in 2004. Denise was a devoted daughter, wife, and mother who loved spending time with her family and helping other people. She enjoyed card making in her downtime. Her favorite time of year was late spring and summer when she would look forward to hummingbird migration. She found pleasure and solace in feeding and watching them. She was a collector of stuff. Stuff, that to others, may have been considered clutter, but to her it meant warm and comforting memories she held dear to her heart. She was predeceased in death by her parents, Howard and Ruth Langwasser, and sister, Gayle Kent. Ruth lived to be 100 in Denise's loving care for the last 9 years and passed away in February. Denise is survived by her husband, Lou; their children, Dena, and Chad, with their significant others, Tom and Kim; her grandson, Evan and his wife Shyanne, both from North Carolina. Three short months ago, Evan and Shyanne promoted Denise to Great-Grandmother to Blake Ivy. Shortly after her recent diagnosis, she was fortunate enough to meet Blake and smother her with kisses. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews that loved her also. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, July 24, 2023, from 3 - 7 pm at Kedz Funeral Home, 1123 Hooper Avenue, Toms River. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 9:30 am at St. Justin's Roman Catholic Church, 975 Fischer Boulevard, Toms River. Interment to follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery.