Denise Behar

Denise Felicia Amoroso Behar left us on November 29 2025. She was 68 years old. Denise was born on September 24, 1957 in New York to Oscar and Dolores Amoroso. She leaves behind to cherish her memory husband David Louis Behar, daughter Cara Ellen Behar, son Daniel Louis Behar and daughter-in-law Emma Luera Behar, her siblings Ernest, Anthony, Rita and Vincent, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends. Denise’s life was defined by her deep faith, her enduring love for family, and her unwavering appreciation for the beauty and joy of the world around her.

Denise was a life-long learner shaped by curiosity and engagement with her world. She graduated from Lawrence High School in Cedarhurst, NY, and went on to study at New York University. She always knew the answers on Jeopardy and loved trivia games. She loved music, and shared this gift with her children by soothing them with lullabies of Linda Ronstadt songs. She also loved to sing karaoke with her friends. She was a voracious reader and an avid collector of used books, amassing piles and piles of paperbacks. She was partial to classic literature and crime fiction but she would read anything as long as it had pages to turn. In her later years she embraced the joy of audiobooks. One of the last books she read before her passage was The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, a memoir about the strangeness of grieving a loved one. Now those of us who were blessed to know, in life, such a beautiful force of a woman are blessed again by the magic of her memory and love.

A true Libra through and through, Denise’s life was shaped by appreciation for beauty and the delicacies of life, and with that the charms of beauty shared. Something of a connoisseur, she had an affinity for all things glamorous. She had an impressive collection of shoes and bags, never left the house without her jewelry, and her style could not be limited to one word to describe it. She made a beautiful home and garden for her family in Atlantic Beach, growing strawberries, raspberries, squashes, and herbs to nourish her family; neighbors admired her orange tiger lilies, snapdragons, sunflowers, and hydrangea bushes. She loved animals, especially penguins and her pets: her cockatiel Spike, and her dogs Midnight, Shiner, Carson, and Chester. Although she leaves behind worldly treasures for us to prize, her beauty transcends the earthly -- the true beauty of Denise was in knowing her. Her vibrant and whimsical personality dazzled in infinite ways. She would strike up a conversation with anyone regardless of setting or character, displaying her ability to foster connection and common ground with anyone. She reveled in humor and fun. She was known for leading unique cheers by holding a rubber chicken in the stands of her son Daniel’s high school football team, and was the loudest voice in the crowd at her daughter Cara’s dance recitals. She felt great pride not only in her children, but also in engaging with her community. People knew her to be someone who showed up for them.

Denise shined when she was in nature and loved the beach especially. Growing up on the shoreline of Atlantic Beach, she was deeply connected to water. She was the daughter of a tuna fisherman and earned some renown for catching several large tuna in her lifetime. She also loved to swim and float in the ocean. She felt her most at the sea’s face. The ocean not only carried her body; she carried the ocean in her being.

Denise met her husband David through mutual friends. They were wed on September 16, 1989 in Cedarhurst, NY. Their partnership was one of mutual understanding, devotion, and appreciation for the differences that spouses may weather in the years they share. They reveled in the good times like graduations, birthdays, and weddings, and were able to outlast the tragedies that occur when people deeply love each other. Marriage was more than a union for them; it was a practice in how deep their vows were, exemplified by her husband David’s unconditional love in caring for Denise through her health challenges. It was a ritual they created and defined on their own. Their love was unique and once in a lifetime.

Faith was a central guiding force throughout Denise’s life. During her children’s early years, she volunteered regularly at St. Joachim’s Church in Cedarhurst, NY. In later years, she found spiritual solace at Christ the King Church in Commack, where she attended Mass faithfully with her friends. Her devout Catholic faith sustained her through life’s joys and trials alike.

In 2011, Denise faced significant health challenges following a car accident that changed the course of her life. Despite spending many years in care facilities during recovery, her commitment to her faith and family, and her love and gratitude for life’s simple pleasures sustained not only her, but her loved ones as well. Her fortitude was deeply inspiring. In the final year of her life, she returned home, a testament to both her resilience and the devotion of those who loved her.

She was predeceased by her beloved parents Oscar and Dolores Amoroso; her sister Joy Marie Amoroso; her dear in-laws Haskel and Eleanor Behar; treasured family friend Daniel McKillen; and her aunts and uncles Albina and Peter Haas, and Mellie and Frank Gallagher.

The grief we feel in her passing is immeasurable. There is a certain amount of magic that transpires when a loved one makes their transition beyond this plane. Denise is still engaged in this life we share without her. If you see a cardinal, a ladybug, or a deep, rich sunset, it is her reminding us that she has not truly left us behind.

Smile, though your heart is aching 

Smile, even though it’s breaking

 When there are clouds in the sky

 you’ll get by

 If you smile through your fear and sorrow

 Smile and maybe tomorrow

 You’ll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness

Although a tear may be ever so near

That’s the time you must keep on trying

Smile what’s the use of crying

You’ll find that life is still worthwhile

If you’ll just

Smile