Services Held For Woman, 'A Bright Light,' Found In LI Woods

WADING RIVER, NY — Brokenhearted friends and family are mourning for Joanna DeRosse, 44, who was found dead in a wooded area in Wading River recently.

Visitation took place Wednesday at Moloney's Lake Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Lake Ronkonkoma.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Make A Wish Foundation, Suffolk County, the funeral home said.

A mother, those who mourned DeRosse's loss said she will be forever a guardian angel to her children.

Relatives expressed their grief: "You were a beautiful light when you entered this world, loved by all! You were always loved and held in my eyes as a beautiful soul, heart and woman. I wish I could turn back time to those days when you first were here. My heart is missing a piece which went with you when you left to join the beautiful heavens," one relative wrote. "I loved you and will always love you. I now see you in God's kingdom. You will watch over your children, guide and protect them through all."

Another person wrote on Facebook: "May your soul be at peace. You can now be your children's guardian angel."

"I can't stop crying. This hurts so much. I'm so sorry, my friend. I'm so sorry," a friend wrote.

And, said another, on the funeral home's message page: "Rest in peace, Joanna. You will be missed. You are very loved."

The investigation as to why DeRosse was in the area, and how she died, is still ongoing — no additional information has been released, police said.

According to Riverhead Town Police, at 2:28 p.m., a call came in about DeRosse, who was found in the area behind 20th Street. Her body was discovered by a resident walking his dog in the area, police said.

An investigation followed, involving the Riverhead Town Department's detective squad and the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office.

At the present time, police said they do not believe DeRosse was a crime victim. Anyone with addition information is urged to call Riverhead Town Police at 631-727-4500 extension 312, or the Riverhead Police Department's Crime Hotline at 631-727-3333. All calls will be kept confidential.