Denise Ann (Berry) England, 70, passed away peacefully at her home in Overland Park, Kansas, on November 7, 2024.
Denise was born September 29, 1954, in Kansas City, Kansas, to John (Jack) and Aileen (Dobel) Berry. She grew up in Mission, Kansas, and attended both St. Pius X Catholic School and Bishop Miege High School, class of 1972. Her parents were founding members of St. Pius X Catholic Church, and she was one of the first infants to be baptized there. Denise carried a deep and unwavering faith in God, a source of strength and peace that guided her through every chapter of her life.
Denise will always be remembered for her love of her family, friends, and her enjoyment of the outdoors. She treasured the Lake of the Ozarks, taking sunset boat rides while listening to music, long walks in her neighborhood, parks or at the zoo, and road trips to National Parks with Bennett. Most recently, she went on her bucket list trip to Glacier National Park in Montana.
Denise was an avid golfer and lover of the sport. Forty years ago, she was a founding member of a women’s golf group at Tomahawk Hills Golf Course in Shawnee and has played in the league every year since. Denise was also a voracious reader of all genres and fond of practicing yoga.
Above all, Denise was devoted to her family. She dedicated a great deal of time to taking care of her parents as they got older, and she loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally. Her daughters always knew they could turn to her for support, and she always had time for hour-long phone calls. Her grandchildren brought so much joy to her life, and she had endless love and patience for them. In addition to family, Denise stayed close with many grade school and high school friends throughout the years, sharing anecdotes about her granddaughters every chance she got. Denise loved to get together with her friends for dinners, happy hour, and football games. As an animal lover, she cared for countless pets and animals over the years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Mark and Michael, and her mother-in-law, Frances England. Denise is survived by her husband of 46 years, Bennett, daughters Shannon, Lauren (Ben), and Shelley, and granddaughters Madeline and Margot Volberding. She is also survived by her sister, Lynn Berry, sisters-in-law Sheila Berry and Linda Spresser, as well as multiple generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral Mass will be on Friday, November 15th at 10:30 am at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5500 Woodson Road, Mission, Kansas. Friends are invited to join the family for a Visitation prior to the Mass from 9:30-10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Denise’s name to Saint Luke’s Muriel I. Kauffman Women’s Heart Center, 4401 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64111.