Denise Anne Craig

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Denise Anne Craig, who left this world peacefully on November 29th at the age of 58, with her beloved husband, Dwayne and her dog, Nitro by her side.

Denise was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on February 5, 1967, to John and Dianne Froloff. She spent her adolescent years living in New Jersey, but her family eventually moved to Florida in 1980 in search of sun and sand. Shortly thereafter, the path of Denise’s life would be forever altered when she received the devastating diagnosis of Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 15, a diagnosis that would come with two subsequent recurrences in the coming years. Though treatment eventually brought remission, it also ravaged her body and brought lifelong health challenges to Denise- challenges that she courageously battled every day with a quiet resiliency that inspired everyone around her. She was our family’s real-life superhero.

Despite the numerous health challenges caused by her cancer recurrences, Denise remained determined to give back to the community that had supported her throughout her illnesses. In 2001, she graduated with her nursing degree from Edison State College and became a Registered Nurse. She devoted years to caring for her patients, making it her personal mission to offer the same quality of care, empathy, and compassion that so many nurses had once shown her.

While Denise’s life was marked by a relentless battle with cancer and its devastating health complications, she still managed to find joy and meaning in her life. On one of her trips to Memorial Sloan Kettering for a checkup, she met the love of her life, Dwayne Craig. The two married in February 2006 and built a beautiful life together, filled with travel adventures, cruises and of course, the loves of their life, their dogs Rebel and Nitro. Denise loved the sun, saltwater, boating and music. She was passionate about gardening and was so proud of her plants. She was also the family’s resident medical expert and was always just a phone call away for medical advice or caretaking. Above all, Denise loved her family and friends fiercely and would not pass on an opportunity to spend time with them, regardless of how she was feeling. Despite all her health challenges, Denise always showed up.

Denise is preceded in death by her father, John Froloff and her beloved dog, Rebel.

Denise is survived by her husband, Dwayne Craig and their dog, Nitro, her mother, Dianne Orofino Lester, her sister Andrea Chaney (Kevin), her brother Lee Froloff (Lizette), her nieces and nephews, otherwise known as the “Fab Five”- John, Taylor, Ashtyn, Lizie and Lee Jr. as well as numerous close friends and family members who were also privileged to know such a warrior.

Though Denise’s life was marked by battles few ever see or survive, it was defined by far more. It was defined by courage, bravery and a relentless fight to survive. Please help us celebrate our warrior and give her the homecoming she deserves.

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 20th at 10:30am at Naples Memorial Garden, followed by mass at St. John’s the Evangelist Church at 12:30 pm. A reception will then follow at the Bay Forest Clubhouse.