Margarete Denis

Margarete U. Denis nickname �Gretel�, 83, died Friday, December 3, at The Nottingham in Jamesville. She was born in Berlin, Germany, to an Austrian family, and was a citizen of that country. During the latter part of her childhood, she lived in Berlin, and in her early twenties met and married her American husband. They returned to the states where she became a citizen. Later divorced, she resided at her home in Syracuse for over 40 years prior to moving to East Side Manor in 2008 and finally to The Nottingham in June 2010.
Gretel retired in 1984 after 27 years of being the Administrator to the Dean of Anatomy at Upstate Medical Center and various other positions with the State. She had an enthusiastic interest in, and knowledge of, classical music. Gretel was a member of the Syracuse Chorale for two years, and also enjoyed playing the piano. She was an avid gardener, and an excellent cook.
She was predeceased by her companion of 32 years, Ken Denis, in 2004; and her four brothers: Carl, Paul, Franzel, and Hansel Hortzendorfer.
Surviving are daughter and son-in-law: Denise Denis and Pete Sembler, of San Francisco, CA; a niece: Helga Todtenhaupt, husband Jorg and their daughter Sandra, all of Hamburg, Germany; many caring family members of her companion, Ken Denis; and a network of close friends she has maintained for many years.
All services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.