Denise Van Schoyck passed away from this life at home in Baton Rouge, on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the age of 72. Denise was born in Elmhurst, Il and graduated from Glenbard East High School in Lombard. During high school she was active in Job’s Daughters and served as an Honor Queen. She graduated with Honors from Southern Methodist University with a degree in Journalism. During her time at SMU she was a member and past president of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Upon graduation she became editor for the Texas Instruments newsletter in Dallas, TX and later, after moving to Baton Rouge, she worked for the State of Louisiana for 35 years, mostly in the I.T. field as a Management Consultant Data Analyst. After her retirement, Denise and her husband traveled extensively around the world visiting over 40 countries. They both achieved Master Gardener designations and in addition to volunteering at Burden Museum and Gardens and the Hilltop Arboretum, they turned their yard into a peaceful oasis of large trees, fishponds, waterfalls, and streams. In her retirement she loved attending the Baton Rouge Symphony, Broadway performances at the Saenger in New Orleans and Renaissance Festivals where she dressed in period characters. Her biggest passion was Halloween, where she spent weeks decorating and was an active member of the 10/31 Consortium, where she often participated in their Halloween and Spanish town parades. Her favorite place was Jackson, New Hampshire where she spent almost every October for over 25 years. She is survived by her husband and love of her life Terry Tuminello, to whom she was married for 44 years. She is also survived by her brother David Van Schoyck, his wife Cindy, and their son Sumner, of Chandler, Arizona, and also her brother in-law, C.J. Tuminello, his wife Jamie and their son Benjamin, of Baton Rouge and their daughter, Kathryn Rabalais, husband, Chris, and daughter Madelyn, of Vicksburg, MS. She will also be missed by her two furry feline babies Dante and Loki. Denise was predeceased by her parents Lloyd and Mary Frances Van Schoyck. A celebration of her life for family and friends will take place on Saturday July 22, 2023 at 11:00 am at Hilltop Arboretum in Baton Rouge. Memorial donations can be made in her name to Friends of Hilltop Arboretum, P.O. Box 82608, Baton Rouge, LA 70884.
Our thoughts and prayers for the family while we celebrate the life of Denise. What a wonderful and fulfilling life the two of you had together. We will miss Denise at our Red Dress run and other New Orleans festivals we shared together. We were blessed to have known Denise and she will be missed by many.
Love,
Jerry (Jerome) and Marlene Wenzel
My sweet friend- Terry.
It breaks my heart for your loss. I followed you and Denise’s travels all over the world on Facebook. Now Denise has traveled to a much better place. She will always be there looking down on you with those beautiful eyes and loving smile. Love you Debbie Serio Albert
Terry, so sorry to hear of Denise’s passing. Our deepest sympathies. Nancy and Chuck Croes
Dear Terry;
What a beautiful remembrance of Denise. We enjoyed all of our visits with both of you over the past 13-14 years.
Denise certainly lived a full life with quite a diverse level of interesta and achievements. We will miss her very
much. Thank you for being great friends over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, family and friends
during this difficult time. Love, Doug & Judy Kirby.
Terry, I am a friend of Jackie, and we work together. I am so sorry to hear of your wife’s passing. I pray that God’s grace and peace will greatly comfort you and your family during this difficult time.
Terry, I am so sorry to hear about Denise. Sending prayers to you. God will help you through this.
Terry-
I was saddened to hear about Denise’s transition. Forty four years of marriage, extensive travel, and a shared passion for gardening is a feat many aspire to, but never achieve. Denise’s presence will live on in the many memories you all created together. We pray for God’s grace to sustain you during this difficult time.
We have known Denise and Terry for over thirty years, and have spent many wonderful times together. Loved her sly wit and humor, envied her sense of style, agreed wholeheartedly with her affection for felines and martinis. She will be missed but not forgotten. Our love to Terry.
Terry, all of my adventures were through you and Denise’s eyes. Thank you for sharing your world travel memories with all of us. I am certainly going to miss Denise’s flair for fashion. Take care.
Dearest Terry, what a wonderful story of Denise’s life and wished I could have met her. You were so blessed to have her in your life. Thinking of you, Patti T. King