Denise Berens

It is with great sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Denise Ann Berens of Lancaster on the morning of May 27, 2023 at the age of 45 years.

She was born May 24, 1978, to Helen Denise Berens of Lancaster, Ohio and the late Donald Snell. Denise was a 1997 graduate of Lancaster High School and briefly attended Hocking College for Nursing. During her younger years she was an advocate for persons with disabilities, spending her summers volunteering at Camp Shining Sun Rainbow.

Family and friends remember Denise as a kind, beautiful soul who always gave of herself. She would do anything for those she loved and was a mother figure to many people throughout her life. She always made the best of her situation and sought to look for the best in people no matter their social status. Let Denise's life be a reminder that we should embrace ourselves fully, live life on our own terms, and unconditionally spread compassion to those who are struggling.

Denise is survived by her mother Helen Berens, brother Anthony Vizzo, Jr., sister Sara (Nathaniel) Berens, niece Eden Clendenen-Vizzo, great nephew Mason Casey, nephew Lukas Berens, aunts, uncles, and cousins, beloved friend Kitty Matson and children Katelyn, Joyce'Lynne, Dale, and Annabelle, and countless others who her kindness touched during her time on this Earth.

She was preceded in death by her father Donald Snell, grandparents William and Charlotte Berens, Uncle Tom Short, and Fritz her loyal black lab who greeted her in heaven.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, June 18, 2023 at the Independence Hall Event Center, 1776 Cedar Hill Road, Lancaster.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Faith Mission of Fairfield County to help those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity (on drop down menu please select LSS Faith Mission of Fairfield County). If you'd like to dedicate your gift in memory of Denise, and send the family a dedication notification, please select that option and enter inmemoryofdeniseberens@gmail.com in the email address field. https://lssnetworkofhope.org/donate/