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Denise B. Lombard

Denise B. Lombard of Branford, passed away peacefully on June 25 surrounded by her family after battling a long illness. Born on August 28, 1936, in Middletown, and raised in West Haven, she was the daughter of the late Delbert S. Beeman and the late Gladys S. Beeman. She was a 60-year resident of Branford and was married to her loving husband Arthur H. Lombard for 66 years.

Having grown up barefoot on the shoreline, “Gramma Cuda” taught us all how to drive a boat, find clams with our feet, and catch bluefish, snappers, lobsters and blue crabs. As a Duplicate Bridge Gold Life Master, she was passionate about playing bridge with her friends. She was a hardcore Scrabble player who would not let anyone win, including her grandchildren. Denise served her community as a board member for the PTA, Drug Committee, Day Care Center, VNA and other community organizations while also coaching girls’ softball and serving as a Cub Scout Pack Leader. She earned her B.A. from Quinnipiac College in 1981, when she decided to complete her formal education after having raised her family. She was a creative storyteller and a courageous fighter to the end, having finally lost her 10-year battle with COPD.

Besides her husband, she leaves behind her sons, Peter Lombard of Branford, and Howard Lombard of Saco, ME; her grandchildren, Michael (Abbey) Lombard of Cumberland, ME, Jacqueline (Jeremy) Zwick of Newnan, GA, Sarah (Aaron) Martin of Fairfield, Robert Lombard and Morgan Lombard of Branford; her great-grandchildren, Henry, George, Anne Marie, Rosalie, Arabella and Casten.

The family would like to thank all of her cousins and friends for their care and concern during her illness, and would especially like to thank Vanessa, Marieanna, Samantha, Christina, Francine and Joe who provided outstanding care and sincere encouragement to Denise during her final months.

There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Celebration was held on June 29, at St. Mary Church in Branford. Burial will be private, and a celebration of Denise’s life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, Denise’s lifelong love of dogs can be honored with donations in her name to the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, 749 E. Main Street, Branford, CT 06405. https://www.branford-ct.gov/departments/animal-shelter/donation.