Maria C Denzer

1939 - 2019

Maryse Denzer, 80, died peacefully at her home with her family by her side on December 20, 2019 in Sarasota, Florida. Maryse, a long time Sparta, NJ resident, was born February 9,1939 in Begur, Spain and was preceded in death by her mother Maria De La O Sanchez, stepfather Pablo Rivero, Father, Jose Jordana, Stepmother Velia Pandolfi Jordana, and step-sister Elise (Angel) Dalmau. Maryse was born during the turbulent Spanish Civil War. Those events would influence much of her life including transient homes and dislocated family that left her orphaned for a time. The pressures of those days produced a diamond of a woman; driven, determined, kind and compassionate. She would drive herself to success in business and in life through perseverance and resolve. Maryse never gave up on people or problems. When someone would have a professional or personal challenge, Maryse became their mentor for the moment and friend for life.

Maryse, a European-trained master hair designer/colorist and makeup artist who worked for Elizabeth Arden in Paris, immigrated to the United States with her then husband, Christian Thierry. She landed a job as a hairstylist at Bergdorf Goodman Salon on Fifth Avenue in New York City. While at Bergdorf Goodman she never stopped learning and became even more curious, constantly exploring trends in hairstyle and makeup. Maryse’s work was published in magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, Mademoiselle, Modern Salon, and many others. She eventually left New York and moved to Sparta, New Jersey with her daughter Patty. There, she opened her own salon, Cottage Coiffures, and also became a freelance educator. She truly created her own American Dream. Maryse worked around the globe as a master hair designer and educator for companies such as Zotos, Perma of Paris and Eugene Perma. In the latter part of her career, she launched EnVogue Bridal Hair & Makeup, specializing in hair and make-up for brides and their bridal party. Maryse is known by her colleagues as a consummate professional who was talented, humble, kind, and generous.

Maryse married Robert (Buck) Denzer in 1976 on top of Aspen mountain. They made a life in Lake Hopatcong and Sparta, New Jersey and moved permanently to Sarasota Florida last winter. Buck and Maryse were the best of friends working hard, traveling, skiing and enjoying life to the fullest. Maryse was an active volunteer in the Sparta First Aid Squad, Craigmeur Ski Patrol, Sparta Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society, and several hairstyling/cosmetology associations. Maryse is also known as the co-founder of the Sparta Ski Club which introduced skiing to Sparta youth. While Maryse loved her profession, she also loved her family and friends deeply. She was always there for them. She was a confident, mentor and an inspiration to many. Her family is spread across the country in France, Spain and the United States but she managed to keep everyone close. Maryse regularly spoke 3 languages, sometimes all in the same sentence.

Maryse is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Robert (Buck) Denzer; her daughter Patty Thierry Sheridan and Son-in-Law Bill Sheridan, and her daughters, Nina (Andre) DeBar and Lynn Sandacz (Robin) for whom she was a devoted second mother; her Uncle Robert (Bob) Becker; her grandchildren, April Piehl (Jim), Tiffany VanMaren (Tim), Ryan Sheridan (Melissa) and great grandchildren (8): Everett VanMaren, Kyle Piehl, Teryn VanMaren, Eden VanMaren, Amber VanMaren, Kelsey Piehl, Maya VanMaren and Kennedy Sheridan; her sisters Mila Rivero De Garcia (Angel), and Roselyne (Etienne) Oechsner de Coninck,), step-brother Eli (Jeanine) Oliva, and sister in-law, Claire Radcliffe (Jim); her adoring nieces and nephews, Corinne (Francois) Reboul, Stéphane (Ariane) Gurtler, Angel Garcia, Maria Garcia, Rene (Christine) Dalmau, Gerard (Zieta) Dalmau, Nathan (Lauren) Radcliffe, Mark Radcliffe, Brent (Elizabeth) Radcliffe, Derek Jonsson, Jessica Jonsson; Great nieces and nephews, Mila Ortiz, Matias Ortiz, Emilie Reboul (Mathias), Pauline Reboul (Anna), Nathan Gurtler, Arthur Gurtler, Louane Lafeuille, Robin Lafeuille, Remi Dalmau, Raphael Dalmau, Pascale, Joelle, Jane Radcliffe, Henry Radcliffe; Will Radcliffe, Maggie Radcliffe, Sammy Radcliffe; her dear cousins Eduardo Sanchez de Rojas (Itziar), Pepe Sanchez de Rojas, Maribel Sanchez de Rojas Gomez, and Nicole Letourneur. She also had a caring relationship with Christian and Rosemarie Thierry with whom she and Buck partnered to raise and support their daughter, Patty.

A Memorial Service will be held at noon on Monday, January 13, 2020 at the St Jude Catholic Church, 17th Street, Sarasota, Florida. A reception following the service will be held at the Denzer’s home.

As a long-time resident of Sparta New Jersey, a celebration of life will also be held in Sparta in July 2020.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Maryse’s honor to the St. Jude Catholic Church, 3930 17th Street, Sarasota Florida 34235.