Denise Van Schoyck

Denise Van Schoyck passed away from this life at home in Baton Rouge, on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the age of 72.  Denise was born in Elmhurst, Il and graduated from Glenbard East High School in Lombard.  During high school she was active in Job’s Daughters and served as an Honor Queen.  She graduated with Honors from Southern Methodist University with a degree in Journalism.  During her time at SMU she was a member and past president of Gamma Phi Beta sorority.   Upon graduation she became editor for the Texas Instruments newsletter in Dallas, TX and later, after moving to Baton Rouge, she worked for the State of Louisiana for 35 years, mostly in the I.T. field as a Management Consultant Data Analyst. After her retirement, Denise and her husband traveled extensively around the world visiting over 40 countries.   They both achieved Master Gardener designations and in addition to volunteering at Burden Museum and Gardens and the Hilltop Arboretum, they turned their yard into a peaceful oasis of large trees, fishponds, waterfalls, and streams. In her retirement she loved attending the Baton Rouge Symphony, Broadway performances at the Saenger in New Orleans and Renaissance Festivals where she dressed in period characters.  Her biggest passion was Halloween, where she spent weeks decorating and was an active member of the 10/31 Consortium, where she often participated in their Halloween and Spanish town parades.   Her favorite place was Jackson, New Hampshire where she spent almost every October for over 25 years.  She is survived by her husband and love of her life Terry Tuminello, to whom she was married for 44 years.  She is also survived by her brother David Van Schoyck, his wife Cindy, and their son Sumner, of Chandler, Arizona, and also her brother in-law, C.J. Tuminello, his wife Jamie and their son Benjamin, of Baton Rouge and their daughter, Kathryn Rabalais, husband, Chris, and daughter Madelyn, of Vicksburg, MS.   She will also be missed by her two furry feline babies Dante and Loki.  Denise was predeceased by her parents Lloyd and Mary Frances Van Schoyck. A celebration of her life for family and friends will take place on Saturday July 22, 2023 at 11:00 am at Hilltop Arboretum in Baton Rouge. Memorial donations can be made in her name to Friends of Hilltop Arboretum, P.O. Box 82608, Baton Rouge, LA  70884.