Obituary for Denise M Alfrey (Childs)
Denise Alfrey
After succumbing to age-related health conditions, Denise Alfrey, age 76, also known as “Dee,” returned home to our Lord on April 25th, 2022. Denise resided in South River, New Jersey, until her death. Her final days were spent in the loving companionship of her daughter, who facilitated her hospice care at Hackensack Memorial Hospital in Old Bridge, NJ.
Denise was born in 1945 to Harrison and Lorraine Childs of Bronx, NY. As an only child, Denise quickly became an animal lover, she filled her childhood hours with the companionship of her dog, Princess was her fierce protector and best friend. This theme continued as many pets came into Denise’s life. She often said, “Animals teach us to love because it is the only thing they know how to do. It’s people you need to look out for.”
Her time growing up in the Bronx was filled with friends, family, and rock and roll. She loved to dance and wanted nothing more but to be a wife and mother.
After finding a man that her cat Stinky approved of, Denise married her first husband, Joseph Singer, at age 17. Joseph was a tool and die, maker. Denise prided herself on keeping a spotless home and fresh recipes on the meal plan. This marriage brought her two children: Andrew Singer and Jean Singer. After a long battle with lung cancer, Joseph singer passed on in 1985.
After the death of her first husband, Denise raised her children with the assistance of her mother, Lorraine.
She worked hard at many jobs, but two positions stand out. As a security guard at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, her role allowed her to flex her assertive personality. Later in life, her time as a beloved, sarcastic, and humorously feisty waitress at The South River Luncheonette allowed her to make lifelong connections with wonderful people. They knew her as “Dee”.
Denise met Thomas Alfrey when he visited the luncheonette as a patron. Denise knew that Thomas was interested in her because he was soon eating three meals a day at the small restaurant. They married after a short courtship and built a new life together. This union brought two stepchildren into Denise’s life. Thomas Alfrey Jr. and Bobby Alfrey. The feisty couple argued as often as they laughed over the years. Both foodies; Denise and Tom frequently had meals out and enjoyed cooking together. The couple enjoyed visits from grandchildren but primarily focused on their role as dog parents to Muffin and Sammie.
In her retirement and iwith the help of her husband Tom and her mother Lorraine, Denise had a large role in the upbringing of her grandson James Newton. James benefited from her daily care while his mother worked. This gift of her time allowed a deep bond to develop between James and his Grandmother Denise.
Denise believed in love. She sincerely believed that very little matters outside of our love for each other. She led her life with love. She was a wife, mother, and woman who loved more than can be measured.
Denise Marie Alfrey is survived by her husband, Thomas Alfrey, her children Andrew Singer and Jean and Michael Steinbuch, and her grandchildren James Newton and Michael Steinbuch Jr.
A viewing will take place on Friday from 2pm to 5pm at the Maliszewski Funeral Home 218 Whitehead Ave. South River, NJ 08882
One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."
He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."
After succumbing to age-related health conditions, Denise Alfrey, age 76, also known as “Dee,” returned home to our Lord on April 25th, 2022. Denise resided in South River, New Jersey, until her death. Her final days were spent in the loving companionship of her daughter, who facilitated her hospice care at Hackensack Memorial Hospital in Old Bridge, NJ.
Denise was born in 1945 to Harrison and Lorraine Childs of Bronx, NY. As an only child, Denise quickly became an animal lover, she filled her childhood hours with the companionship of her dog, Princess was her fierce protector and best friend. This theme continued as many pets came into Denise’s life. She often said, “Animals teach us to love because it is the only thing they know how to do. It’s people you need to look out for.”
Her time growing up in the Bronx was filled with friends, family, and rock and roll. She loved to dance and wanted nothing more but to be a wife and mother.
After finding a man that her cat Stinky approved of, Denise married her first husband, Joseph Singer, at age 17. Joseph was a tool and die, maker. Denise prided herself on keeping a spotless home and fresh recipes on the meal plan. This marriage brought her two children: Andrew Singer and Jean Singer. After a long battle with lung cancer, Joseph singer passed on in 1985.
After the death of her first husband, Denise raised her children with the assistance of her mother, Lorraine.
She worked hard at many jobs, but two positions stand out. As a security guard at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, her role allowed her to flex her assertive personality. Later in life, her time as a beloved, sarcastic, and humorously feisty waitress at The South River Luncheonette allowed her to make lifelong connections with wonderful people. They knew her as “Dee”.
Denise met Thomas Alfrey when he visited the luncheonette as a patron. Denise knew that Thomas was interested in her because he was soon eating three meals a day at the small restaurant. They married after a short courtship and built a new life together. This union brought two stepchildren into Denise’s life. Thomas Alfrey Jr. and Bobby Alfrey. The feisty couple argued as often as they laughed over the years. Both foodies; Denise and Tom frequently had meals out and enjoyed cooking together. The couple enjoyed visits from grandchildren but primarily focused on their role as dog parents to Muffin and Sammie.
In her retirement and iwith the help of her husband Tom and her mother Lorraine, Denise had a large role in the upbringing of her grandson James Newton. James benefited from her daily care while his mother worked. This gift of her time allowed a deep bond to develop between James and his Grandmother Denise.
Denise believed in love. She sincerely believed that very little matters outside of our love for each other. She led her life with love. She was a wife, mother, and woman who loved more than can be measured.
Denise Marie Alfrey is survived by her husband, Thomas Alfrey, her children Andrew Singer and Jean and Michael Steinbuch, and her grandchildren James Newton and Michael Steinbuch Jr.
A viewing will take place on Friday from 2pm to 5pm at the Maliszewski Funeral Home 218 Whitehead Ave. South River, NJ 08882
One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."
He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."