Homewood Woman, 59, 'Had A Way About Her,' Strong Will 'That Could Move Mountains'

HOMEWOOD, IL — A beloved Homewood woman known for her tenacity and deep love for animals has died at 59 years old, her family shared last week.

At just 4-foot-9, Denise Goldfarb was small in stature, but left an indelible mark in the world around her, her brother Jeff Goldfarb said.

"Denise had a way about her," Jeff Goldfarb remarked in her obituary. "She had tenacity—that kind of determination that could move mountains, or at least make sure things got done the right way: her way. She had spunk, too, a spark that lit up a room. And if she had something on her mind, well, you could count on her to speak it—no sugar-coating, just pure Denise."

Denise enjoyed teaching others about a healthy diabetic lifestyle, her family said. She was well-versed in animal care, and loved her four-footed family members: cats Angel, Cleo, and Ally, George the ferret, and Buffy the Schnauzer.

"She had such a love for animals—cats, dogs, ferrets—all creatures great and small," Jeff shared. "She cared for them the way she cared for people: deeply and without hesitation."

Daughter of Gail and the late Melvyn Goldfarb, Denise loved her family fiercely, he added.

"She had a deep love and respect for her mom and her late father, her godparents, her cousins, aunts and uncles, her many family members and friends who helped shape the person she became," he said.

The two siblings shared a special bond, with a sweet and light-hearted perception by many. At 7 feet tall, Jeff towered over Denise, making her affectionally referred to as the "little sister."

"...she shared a special bond with her brother," he said, "a connection filled with loyalty and love that nothing could break."

Jeff would joke she had nine lives, but now says she is at peace.

"Denise was warm, she was humorous, and she was proud of her Jewish faith," Jeff said. "She lived with a strength of spirit and a generosity that touched everyone who knew her.

"I will miss her laugh, her honesty, and that fierce love she had for her family and friends. While today is a day of mourning, it’s also a day of gratitude — gratitude that we were blessed with her presence, her humor, her heart, and her spirit."

In lieu of flowers, the family has encouraged contributions to the American Diabetes Association or South Suburban Humane Society.

"Denise’s memory will live on in all of us—in every laugh we share, every act of kindness, and every time we speak our truth without fear," Jeff reflected. "That’s what she taught me, and that’s how I will carry her with me, always."