Obituary of Denise Dinnis

CHESHIRE - Denise "Denni" A. Dinnis, 56, passed away Friday February 25, 2011 at St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury from complications arising from pneumonia. Mrs. Dinnis was born December 11, 1954 in Patterson, NJ the daughter of the Ann J. (Aubé) Muise and the late J. Harry Muise. She married James "Jim" A. Dinnis , on October 5, 1974 in Hopewell Jct., NY, and they would have celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary this year. Upon moving to Cheshire in 1983, she helped Jim build Prestige Construction from the ground up. While usually spending most of her time at the home office, managing workers, material orders and bills, she was proud of the fact that she could get "out in the field and swing a hammer with the best of them". One of the crowning achievements of Prestige Construction was their instrumental help in building Playground in the Park, the original playground at Bartlem Park. While her health started to declined after the birth of her daughter in 1988, Denni was never known to complain. She was known as someone who never gave up, and could maintain her sense of humor in the face of health uncertainty. When people asked her how she could possibly survive all the illnesses she had, her response was "what else am I going to do? Sit in a corner and cry? The only thing to do is keep living". Her bravery and strength were admired by many, and will be remembered fondly. Besides her husband of 36 years, and her mother, Mrs. Dinnis is survived by her daughter Jacquelynn "Jacquie" Dinnis of Cheshire; her brothers Jeffry "Jeff" Muise and his wife Janice, Andrew "Andy" Muise, Gregory "Greg" Muise and Scott Muise and his wife Karen; her brother-in-law Richard "Rick" Dinnis; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements - Funeral services and burial will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. A memorial will be scheduled for some time in April. The Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire is assisting with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation 2572 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT 06518 or Kidney Foundation of CT, 2139 Silas Deane Hwy., Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or to the Petit Family Foundation P.O. Box 310 Plainville, CT 06062.