Obituary: Mary Jane (Pierson) (Sherman) Denza, 90, of Waterbury

Obituary courtesy of Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home

Waterbury, CT

Mary Jane Denza

“Loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and favorite aunt”

Mrs. Mary Jane (Pierson) (Sherman) Denza, 90, of Waterbury, entered into the gates of heaven on Monday October 24, 2022 at St. Mary’s Hospital after a brief illness. She was the loving widow of Alphonse W. Denza (2000). She was the formerly married to the late Noel Sherman (2000).

Mary Jane was born in Waterbury on January 7, 1932, daughter of the late Walter and Mary (Downes) Pierson. She graduated from Croft High School Class of 1950 and grew up in Cheshire. After her mother’s passing in 1949, she helped raise her younger siblings. She worked briefly at Uniroyal in Naugatuck before becoming a proud and devoted housewife and mother. She was a skilled seamstress and baker throughout her life having made many wedding dresses and wedding cakes as a side business. She later purchased and ran Chapter II Consignment Store in Waterbury for over 15 years until her retirement in 2007.

Mary Jane was very active and volunteered for many organizations including; Prospect VFW Post 8075 Women’s Auxiliary; Fresh Air Fund, a non-profit that provides summer camp adventures for children from low-income communities; Oakville Senior Center; and Wii Bowling. She was an avid bowler at Perillo’s Bowl-O-Drome for many years having been active in several leagues.

She leaves to honor and cherish her memory; a daughter, Patricia “Patti” Carrin of Canton, one of two primary care givers and her husband Randy; a son, Kenneth Sherman of Waterbury whom lived with and cared for his mom and his former wife Lorraine Forinton of Naugatuck; a brother, Fred Pierson and his wife Lynn of Cheshire; a sister, Marjorie Vissiccio of Wallingford; a sister-in-law, Sylvia Pierson of Augusta, GA; four grandchildren, Morgan Carrin and her husband Jordan Santo of Philadelphia, PA, Michael Carrin and his wife Emily of New Hartford, Kristie-Lee Sherman of Naugatuck, and Jae Sherman of New Hartford; four great grandchildren, Shealyn Wells, Ellie Green, Jack Carrin, and Charlotte Carrin; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by two sons, Edward Sherman (2006) and Brian Sherman (1975), a granddaughter, Kelly Green (2016), a grandson-in-law, Richard Green (2017), and her siblings, Edith, Ethel, John, Charles “Billy”, Dudley, and Lester. She also leaves behind countless friends, notably her friend of eighty years, Ruth D’Orio of Oakville.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff of St. Mary’s Hospital for the exceptional care and compassion given to Mary Jane during her brief stay as well as her home aid Rae who went above and beyond.

Arrangements: A funeral service will be celebrated on Thursday October 27, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made in Mary Jane’s memory to:

Alzheimer’s Association, CT Chapter

200 Executive Blvd S, #4B

Southbury, CT