Obituary of Jean Ann Boyance Denes

Jean Ann Boyance Denes, 72, beloved wife of Robert Charles Denes, passed away Saturday, September 23, 2023, at her home in Debordieu, South Carolina. Born on January 28, 1951, in Levittown, New York, Jean was the daughter of the late Albert Joseph Boyance and Anna Scott Boyance. Jean grew up in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey and was a graduate of Governor Livingston Regional High School. Jean received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Northern Illinois University and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in health care management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1981. Jean had an impressive career as a behavioral health executive and was a pioneer in the Federal DOT drug and alcohol testing industry. She founded Discovery Institute for Addictive Disorders, which was a 124 bed multi-modality residential non-profit organization, and founded Prevention Specialists, Inc. in 1990. She served as a certified Substance Abuse Professional and Employee Assistance Professional, as well as provided guidance to hundreds of corporate clients for 29 years. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Jean. She loved tending to her beautiful gardens and spending time outside in the sun with the birds chirping alongside her. She enjoyed traveling and seeing new places, she loved to meander down the cobblestone streets in a quaint little town and pop into the local stores. Along with her loving husband Robert of 47 years, Jean loved adventuring along hiking trails and found beauty in the spring wildflowers. She cherished long walks on the beach, whether alone or with her good friends, and found her peace walking along the ocean listening to the waves. Jean had a beautiful ability to find happiness in her daily activities, and her warm personality was contagious to everyone she met. She loved to entertain and made sure that anyone who crossed her door felt welcome and loved. She was always thinking of her family and friends and would often surprise loved ones with a special gift. She was the best cook around - her stuffed cabbage was legendary. She also loved a quiet evening with friends and a glass of (good) wine in hand. She is survived by her daughter Amy Denes Ferguson and son-in-law Stuart Ferguson of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, her daughter Susan Watson and son-in-law Luke Watson of Charleston, South Carolina, and her close niece Stacia Boyance of Forest, Virginia, along with many other cherished nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Alan Joseph Boyance and John Anthony Boyance. Services will be held at 11am on Saturday, September 30, 2023 in the Pennyroyal Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Georgetown led by Pastor Emeritus Harold Lewis of the Belin Methodist Church. Family and friends will be received at the Denes’ home in Debordieu at 1:30pm following the ceremony. Online condolences can be left at www.ridgewayfh.com Ridgeway Funeral Home of Georgetown is in charge of the arrangements. (843) 485-4242