Dionysia "Denise" Marie Savas passed away peacefully in her Sarasota home on March 9, 2025. She was surrounded by her loved ones, including her constant companions - two toy poodles, Ziggy and Salty.

She was born in Newport News, VA on Sept 25, 1958 and raised in Binghamton, New York. She graduated from Binghamton Central High School in 1976, awarded Distinguished Graduate of her alma mater. In 1980, she graduated from Clarkson University with a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. Upon graduation in 1980, she moved to Cincinnati to join Procter & Gamble (P&G), where she spent her entire career developing various products across all divisions, retiring after 35 years as an Associate Director of Research & Development.

Denise was an accomplished violinist. Throughout elementary school, college, and continued to play with various orchestras and chamber groups. She also served on the board of Chamber Music Cincinnati.

Denise loved to travel and did much of this while working at P&G where she was also an expatriate in Japan in the early 1990's. After retiring, she moved to Bird Key in Sarasota, FL with her husband Martin, where she enjoyed playing pickleball, walking on the beach, and shelling. She took up quilting during the pandemic, teaching herself through online tutorials and networking with the local South Sarasota Modern Quilt Guild of which she was a member. She made and gifted over 40 beautiful quilts for family and friends. Denise was an excellent cook and hostess. One of her greatest joys was cooking for loved ones. She was a lifelong learner, always eager to share what she had learned with others.

Denise was a member of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Sarasota and Holy Trinity - St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Cincinnati.

Denise was predeceased by her parents Charles and Helen Savas. She is survived by her dear husband Martin Wilz, two daughters, Andrea Calamari White (Mitchell) and Katina Calamari, a granddaughter, Eleni Rose White; two step-daughters, Ruby Wilz (Tim Lynch) and Rachel Wilz, a sister Maria Swope (Keith), a brother Thomas Savas; nephews Alex Swope (Melissa), Charles Swope (Elyse), Miah Savas; niece Dena Swope and three great nieces.

Visitation and Funeral Services to be held at Holy Trinity - St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (7000 Winton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45224) on Monday March 17

Visitation: 10-11AM

Funeral Service: 11AM

Burial to follow funeral service at Spring Grove Cemetery (4521 Spring Grove Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45232). Following burial, the family welcomes all to attend a reception at Spring Grove Funeral Home (4389 Spring Grove Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Sarasota (sarasotaorthodox.com) or Holy Trinity - St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Cincinnati (htsn church.org) or Findlay Market in Cincinnati (findlaymarket.org/donate).