Denise Anne Catherine Assa

denise assa
Denise Anne Catherine Assa

October 8, 1931 – May 30, 2021, Age 89

Denise Assa passed away peacefully in her sleep at her Annandale, Virginia home of 52 years on May 30, 2021.

Our beloved wife, mother and grandmother was born Denise Kelly on October 8, 1931 in Howth, Ireland just outside of Dublin, where she spent her childhood. Denise spent her 15th year at a convent-run finishing school in France, and became fluent in French. Later, she attended business vocational college in Dublin, and then followed her brother Noel Kelly to Montreal, Canada. Applying her keen affinity for math and numbers, she took a job as a bookkeeper. Denise met her husband-to-be Robert Assa, of Lyon France, in 1955 through an international circle of friends, who have remained close life-long friends.

Robert and Denise married in 1957 in Montreal, and recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Their strong love allowed them to overcome the challenges of their different cultural and religious backgrounds.

They moved to Northern Virginia in 1962 with three children and one on the way. After one more addition, Denise devoted herself to raising their five children, in a bustling household full of life, laughter, love and a healthy dose of Irish humor. She faithfully brought all of her children to Catholic mass every Sunday. She was the steady hand at the helm, and her magnetic personality drew her kids’ friends to drop by and hang out, and consider her home almost as their second home. After all of her children went on to become college graduates, she planned their weddings, and eventually became a doting grandmother of eight grand-children.

As a champion competitive bridge player, her passion for the game resulted in her attaining master level, leading to a gold and silver medal in the Senior Olympics.

Through the years, Denise was able to enjoy joining Robert on some of his international travel adventures, such as to Greece and Turkey.

In the last two years, she and Robert were blessed with four great-grandchildren. Robert and Denise’s journey through life was a wonderful love story, and infused with Robert’s always-treasured story-telling.

We will all miss her terribly. She had painful health issues and surgeries in later years which she amazingly managed to handle with grace, and she began to decline over the last couple years.

Denise is survived by her devoted husband Robert Assa, age 92, children Corinne Assa-Sykes (Bob), Vivianne Neilan (Mike), Bernard (Ben-)Assa, Janine Asante (Hans), and Yolande ‘Yody’ Blass. Grandchildren: Mandy Askin (Spencer), Zachary Sykes (Bethany), Christopher Neilan (Brittany), Rachel Sykes, Jeremy Neilan (Brittney), Caitlyn Bobbi Benassa, Ryan Benassa, and Alina Blass. Great-grandchildren: Austin Neilan, Logan Askin, Noah Askin, and Christopher ‘CJ’ Neilan. Brother-in-law Eamonn O’Nolan, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her mother Evelyn ‘Evie’ Kelly and father Francis ‘Frank’ Kelly, brother Noel Kelly and sister Joan O’Nolan. They are finally all together again. For sure, she has a loving welcome committee and they are having a grand Irish party up in heaven.

She was a strong, determined, accepting, and witty woman. We will always remember her loving, compassionate, gentle, and gracious nature.

Funeral Mass to be held on Friday June 4, 2021 1:30 PM

At St. Michael Catholic Church

7401 St Michaels Ln

Annandale, Virginia 22003

Livestream link info to follow (see below under "Live Webcast Watch Event")

or Click here

Graveside Service to be held on Friday June 4, 2021 3:00 PM

National Memorial Park

7482 Lee Highway

Falls Church, Virginia 22042

Followed by Reception/Celebration of Life

(address details to follow)

Donations may be made to Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation (https://www.helpfightra.org/) or charity of your choice

"We feel very fortunate to have our mother's celebration of life with fewer covid restrictions. However, due to the fragile health of some family members, we graciously request that our guests who are not vaccinated wear masks indoors, and continue to practice social distancing."

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  1. Our condolences to the family and friends, she’s now an angel watching over you all, may she RIP. With love, Susan, Jacques and Bobby xoxo


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