Denise Cecelia Lynch Bambach

Denise Cecelia Bambach (née Lynch), of Suwanee, Georgia, passed away on May 18, 2026 at the age of 83. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, John C. Bambach, Jr., parents Daniel Francis and Ann (née Serandinsky) Lynch, sisters Barbara (“Bobbie”) and Sharon, and is survived by her daughter Lee Ann (Maiser Aboneaaj), sons J.C. (Stephanie Siford) and T.J. (Maggie Demcsak Bambach), grandchildren Rakan, Jaylim, Jizal, Kelly, Brian, Sean, Jane, and Brooke, sisters Cathy Olsen and Peggy Hill, brother Dan Lynch, a multitude of nieces and nephews, and the extended Aboneaaj clan. Denise was born on December 27, 1942 in Yonkers, NY and grew up in Closter, NJ. She married her high school sweetheart, John, when they were both 19 and they went on to create a remarkable life together. In early married life, she worked full time at home and part time jobs outside it to support her husband as he pursued higher education. Finally it was her turn and over the years – all the while working full time, raising three children, running the home, and going to night school – she earned a BA from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an MBA from Pace University. She was ahead of her times in many ways – an early pioneer in computer programming, beginning in the punch-card era and ending with ADP before being forced from the workforce due to disability. She moved to Georgia in 2004, partnering with her husband in opening a Peterbrooke Chocolate store, and traveling the world with him as long as her health allowed. In all of these spaces, Denise was a creative and a collector in the truest sense – always ready with a new craft project for her kids and grandkids, an excellent baker and designer of cakes, and a collector of all sorts of things. Among her many collections were her famous Christmas Spode and nutcrackers, Longerberger baskets, Waterford crystal, and Beanie Babies, and souvenirs from all her trips. She loved entertaining, especially for the holidays, and was well known for her parties, which were full of great people (quite often large crowds of them), handmade decorations, games, prizes, and great food and drink – with dessert, of course, to go with it. Some of what contributed to this knack for hosting was that Denise was an avid question-asker. Even in her late days, she could drive a conversation better than most podcasters could, probing for small details about recent experiences and understanding of deeper, more philosophical topics alike. One place she loved and could discuss for ages was Lake George in the Adirondack mountains of New York, where she and her husband bought a home in 1999. She generously invited anyone who was interested to come and visit, and magically always found room for everyone. She loved the “lake house” – and wanted those dearest to her to enjoy it, even when she could not. Denise said she strove always to “make memories” for people, and through her special crafts, elaborate parties, and trips to the lake (and other places both near and far), she did just that, leaving behind a legacy full of beautiful memories for all of us who loved her to treasure. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MOG Project (https://mogproject.org/) or St. Jude's (https://www.stjude.org/). Denise would often tell people that when she and John married at 19, they had no idea “what they were doing or where things would lead them.” In her final days, she was full of pride and joy for all they had accomplished. She passed away peacefully and joins her sweetheart in a better place.

Denise Cecelia Lynch Bambach

December 27, 1942 - May 18, 2026