Danette Lee de Lima

On May 7, 2020, Danette Amorosi de Lima, 63, lost her battle with lung cancer. She is survived by her husband of 41 years Edward de Lima, her son Devin de Lima, stepdaughter Theresa Whitton, Grandson Billy Whitton, sister Linda Dobrinski, brothers Nino Amorosi and Danny Amorosi. Preceded in death by her son Derek, brother Andy Amorosi, sister Delores Horton and her parents Daniel and Carole Amorosi. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or American Cancer Society in her name.

Born and raised in Suffern NY she also lived in Fall River MA for 3 years when she was younger.

Danette lived and loved passionately. She connected with life emotionally, often singing and dancing by herself loudly and proudly. Anyone who ever met Danette will tell you about her quick wit, love of laughter, her endearing ability to bend the rules her way with her infectious smile. She embraced her experiences, always engaging the humor of life and bringing a smile to everyone's face, which she often did. She accepted her challenges and embraced the rewards with grace and dignity.

If someone was down on their luck, she never hesitated to offer help, even if it meant opening up her home to friends or family who had nowhere else to go. Danette was an amazing example of compassion and generosity.

When her eldest son, Derek, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, she accepted her crash course in the medical field with all the vigor of any nurse or doctor for her son's brief 29 years, even moving with him to Durham, NC for the opportunity for him to receive a double lung transplant at Duke University Hospital. Unfortunately after 6 months Derek lost his battle later in 2016. It was 6 months later she was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer.

At her request, the family plans to have Danette's cremated remains cast in upstate New York, where she will rest forever by her son Derek.

Danette is no longer suffering. She would want everyone to celebrate her life rather than mourn her death. She would insist everyone remember the good times, smile, and keep living their lives as she did: fearlessly, unabashedly, bravely with grace, love and most importantly humor.

A Mass celebrating her life will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern NY. Date and times to be announced later.