Roslyn Denard, 96

Roslyn "Roz" Denard, former general manager of The Princeton Packet, died at the age of 96 on December 31 at Stonebridge in Skillman.

Roz was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and earned a degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania. She and Norman, her husband of 73 years, had moved to Princeton in the early 1950s where they created a wonderful home for their three children.

In 1962 Roz started working at The Princeton Packet, selling classified ads over the phone. She retired 32 years later as general manager of the group of 13 regional newspapers. Throughout her tenure with the Packet, her business passion never waned.

After Roz retired she became a Princeton Township Committee woman for the next six years. One of the major accomplishments during her time on the township committee was the formation of the Human Services Commission in 1998. This included involvement with Secure@Home and Chore Corps, a community service spinoff of Community without Walls (CWW – an outstanding Princeton organization that makes it possible for people to stay in their own homes as long as they so desire and are able to do so). Roz was extremely proud to be one of the founders of CWW.

As an advocate of services for senior citizens, Roz’s key causes included bringing market-rate senior housing to Princeton and building a senior center in town through the Coalition for Senior Housing. She was also a member of the Final Exit Network, a volunteer right-to-die organization as well as a volunteer at Reading for the Blind.

She was president of the Women’s Division of the Jewish Center for many years between 1956 and 1970. She also played a key role in the building of and the moving to its current location.

Experiencing the world and its varied cultures was a priority. She and Norm visited more than 50 countries worldwide and many states within America. The two always brought back, among other things, incredible stories and pictures. They also made frequent trips to New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC to experience museums, theater, musical performances, and to participate in civil-rights marches.

If you knew Roz, you knew she was a lover of art, music, history, and architecture. She loved to make things happen, was an outstanding communicator, a high achiever, and loved living in Princeton. Roz was incredibly grateful for the wonderful life she had, which was truly enhanced by her lifelong friendships.

Roslyn is survived by her husband Norman, her son Jeff, and her daughter Lisa Denard (Peter Koval), as well as five grandchildren, Sean, Jessica, Tracy, Amanda, and Alexis, and two great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Walker. She is predeceased by her parents Jack and Fan Silvers, her sister Maxine Bradie and her daughter, Karen Denard Goldman. A memorial service will be planned for a later date.