Obituary of Denise Suzanne Hanley

Denise Suzanne (aka Suzie) Hanley (nee Poniecki), of Wilmington, DE passed away on August 22, 2021 at Seasons Hospice at Christiana. Denise was the first loved daughter of Dorothy and Francis. She was known as Suzi(e) to her family, Denise to everyone else. She had her mother's stubborn temperament, her father's sense of wonder and her grandfather's love of farming. She loved her daughter more than anything in the world, and was so immensely proud of her triumph over adversity and fierce independence. Denise began working in her teens as a counselor at the Brandywine YMCA summer camp on Harvey Road. She graduated from Concord High School and had classes in college before entering the Medical Administration field. She worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Delaware and Philadelphia, for a Pediatric Orthopedic practice at Nemours Children's Hospital, and most recently at Delaware Center for Digestive Care. She excelled in advocation of care for the patients, especially those with special needs, circumstances and limited care plans. She spoke at medical conferences advocating for therapies and insured. She believed deeply that all people should have health-care, and shouldn't have to make health choices based on finances. A huge Joe Biden fan from his earliest endeavors, and an avid volunteer and supporter of his path to the presidency, she wrote to him often to share her thoughts on the need to support legislation that helped the disabled and a national healthcare system that treated all people as equals. She was given immense joy being involved in and supporting her daughter's endeavors on the Delaware Special Olympics Northstars team, attending the World Games in Ireland as a parent and coach. She was recognized with numerous awards for her leadership of and contribution to Delaware Special Olympics, coaching and fund raising at every level, including as a liaison for Golf Outings and NASCAR drivers. She continued to work with disabled children, assisting in the first horse rides for special needs youth at Caravel Farms. Her greatest passion was the care for homeless animals, volunteering her time and love at the Brandywine Valley SPCA. She was involved in many animal transports, meeting aircraft on the tarmac full of dogs from the rural south needing love and homes. One of those animals, Snoopy- a Catahoula leopard dog mix- found a happy home eternally at her feet. Her devotion to the cause was extraordinary, she began studying for her veterinary technician license last year and planned to start a specialized dog rescue on the Eastern Shore in her retirement. She leaves behind her beloved Snoopy, who was the last of a series of adoptions and rescues. Denise had seen sunshine and rain through many relationships. She was always a giver, often at a great cost. Denise had a love of anything country. She tended a vegetable garden, knitted, went to concerts, and enjoyed the out of doors. She loved music and began learning the guitar during the pandemic- learning 'happy birthday' first so she could add background music to her always over-the-top birthday song calls. She spent her 60th birthday with Andrea riding horses on the beaches of Cabo and swimming with dolphins, two of her favorite animals. Last year she traveled to Austin to hear country music and work at a dude ranch for a week. She bought her first pair of 'real cowboy boots' and barely took them off since. Denise marveled at the collections and pieces of Art that were given to her by her sister Marie. She enjoyed learning about their works. They both had an appreciation shared with their mother of depression glass and serving dishes. Mostly, Denise deeply appreciated Marie's advocating for her care in this year. Marie was there to help navigate through the rough waters as she was diagnosed with brain and lung tumors. Denise's sister Charlene will miss their monthly excursions to flea markets, the Philadelphia Flower Show and Longwood Gardens with lunches out for as much fish as they could find. She loved her daughter Kelly McLain more than words could ever say and hopes that her life will be joyful and that she continues to flourish. Denise is survived by her daughter, Kelly McClain (grand-kitties Amaretto and Sheba) and her sisters: Charlene Maxwell (husband Jim and nephew Ian), Marie Wolpert (husband Allen and nephew Andrew), and Andrea (husband Imara and pups Briar and Fox), many Poniecki family 1st , 2nd , and 3rd cousins. Burial will be private. There are currently no services planned; however, at Denise's request, future arrangements will be announced to family and friends for a celebration of her life picnic with the sound of country music. In lieu of flowers, her sisters would appreciate donations to a pet rescue association. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.