Denise Newark

Denise Newark, 58, of Salamanca, NY died Wednesday morning, December 9, 2020 at home following a long illness.

Born December 6, 1962 in Salamanca, NY, she was the daughter of the late Robert Matecki and Phyllis Scoby. She was married on July 25, 1998 in Holy Cross RC Church to Gary Newark, who survives.

She was a graduate of Salamanca High School, Class of 1980 and received her Bachelors Degree at the Geneseo State Collage in 1984, later earning her Masters Degree at St. Bonaventure University in 1991.

She had been employed as an elementary school teacher with the Salamanca Central School System for over 30 years, retiring in 2018.

Denise always had a passion for teaching, knowing she wanted to be a teacher from a very young age. She loved animals, especially her dogs, Whisper and Serenity. She loved doing diamond paintings, bird watching, camping at Hidden Valley, and being with family and friends.

Surviving besides her husband are: a brother, Robert (Cindy) Matecki, Erie, PA; close nephews, Adam (Kiriam) Kraut, Lake City, PA, Zachary (Abbey Barnett) Golis, Pittsburg, PA, Levi and Alex Armstrong; nieces, Shayla Armstrong, Cindy Raecher; a great-nephew, Arlo James Golis, Pittsburg, PA; dear friends, Dan and Brenda Fish, Salamanca, NY; several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Florence and Harry Matecki, maternal grandparents Benjamin and Marie Scoby.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Saturday, December 12, 2020 from 9 – 11am.

The general public is invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial starting at 11:30am at Our Lady of Peace RC Church, 274 Broad Street, Salamanca, NY.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to EARS, Empire Animal Rescue Society, P.O. Box 445, Salamanca, NY 14779.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.