Denise Hynes, “Mama Hynes”, earned her angel wings on Saturday, February 6th, 2021 after an aggressive form of cancer unexpectedly re-emerged after the holidays.
Denise was born in Manhattan, New York on January 5th,1951 to parents Henry and Sophie (Bodinski) Zemsky. She was a free spirit who loved to spend time with her brothers. She married the love of her life, Thomas P. Hynes, on April 23rd, 1982. The two would later move from the city to their dream home in Poughquag, New York to raise their family.
In 1998, while raising three young children, Denise successfully battled Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, where she
underwent a rigorous course of chemotherapy treatment. Her strength and overall love of life helped to put her in remission. This year, shortly after spending the holidays with her family, Mama Hynes was given the news that her cancer was back and this time would be untreatable.
Denise was a generous and kindhearted soul who loved painting, reading, cooking, and spending time
with her dogs. “Mama Hynes,” as most would call her, welcomed all into her home with open arms, a
big hug and an abundance of food. Chicken cutlets and pasta were always a speciality, along with
cookies in the cookie jar. She loved to laugh and be among her family, whom she cherished more than
anything else in the world, along with her beloved labrador retrievers. Mama Hynes often said how
becoming a mom was all she wanted in life.
Denise is survived by her beloved husband of thirty-eight years Thomas P. Hynes; adored children
Alyson and Philip Newlun, Cindy and Jeffrey Renwick, and Thomas J. and Alicia Hynes; grandchildren
Nicole, Maxwell, Derek, and Dylan; granddogs Piper and Harper; several nieces and nephews, and her
beloved companion and four legged friend to the end, Sully. Denise was predeceased by her brothers
Thomas Zemsky and Henry Zemsky Sr.; her sister-in-law Kathy Zemsky; and her nephews Henry
Zemsky Jr. and Michael Zemsky.
Calling hours will be held at Dwyer Funeral Home in Patterson, New York on Saturday February 13th,
2021 from the hours of 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. At 5:00pm the family will have a prayer. Due to COVID a
celebration of life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be
made to Hudson Valley Hospice, who treated her with such care and dignity during her final days.
“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we deeply love becomes part
of us.” Helen Keller