Obituary of Jeanne Florence Muller Denzer

Family and friends mourn the passing of the unforgettable Jeanne Florence Muller Denzer of Tampa, FL. She passed away peacefully on January 9, 2024, in her home with family by her side.  Born in West Palm Beach, Florida on August 25, 1929 in the home her father built. Her parents, Joseph Aloysius Muller and Vera Florence (nee McKenzie) moved to WPB from Savannah, Georgia, in 1925.

Jeanne graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in biology and later got her masters degree in education from Nova University. In her early twenties however she dreamed of becoming an opera singer. She studied voice under the well known coach Evan Evans at the Chautauqua Institute in New York where she was told she had a promising career. She was called home due to her father’s illness and eventual death. 

Married in 1954 to a pilot in the USAF, they were stationed on Guam for 3 years. There her daughter Patti was born. The marriage was short lived and she returned to WPB to her devoted mother with Patti and her soon to be born daughter, Leslie, where they created a loving home. Jeanne and Vera’s passion, spirit and hard work ethic were instilled in Patti and Leslie and they will be forever grateful for these gifts.

Jeanne eventually found her way into teaching Science to middle schoolers. She really loved to help shape the minds of her students. She instilled in them the importance of finishing their education and lifting them up to believe in themselves.

Concurrently with her teaching career Jeanne sang with Opera Lyrica, starring alongside local and Metropolitan Opera stars. She had a beautiful mezzo soprano voice and sang in many operas including La Boheme, The Barber of Seville, Carmen, Madame Butterfly and as the witch in Hansel and Gretel.  Besides singing, her other interests included archeology, Egyptian and World War II history, antiques, interior and fashion design, gardening, world affairs, real estate and earth science.

In WPB, she loved her neighborhood and the lasting friendships she made in Historic EL Cid, and was very active in their neighborhood association where she renovated her homes to perfection. The street markers with Pineapples were designed by her and she coordinated the EL Cid Cookbook and monthly newsletter.  She organized the yearly Christmas parties and even made the clever table centerpieces. These parties were always a big hit.   

She was best known for her humor, quick wit, intelligence, curious mind, artistic creativity, compassion, sage advice, and her indomitable spirit. She never, ever gave up evidenced by one of her many favorite sayings, ‘when there is a will, there is a way’.  And now, we believe as she makes her transition from this world into the next, she would have ended her obituary with one of her best known sayings, ‘Let’s get this show on the road’.

Jeanne is predeceased by her parents Joe and Vera, and her brothers Joseph and Tommy whom she loved very much.  She is survived by her devoted daughters Patricia Gurysh (Dave), Leslie Sibbitt (David), grandsons Steve and Kevin (Liz), great grandchildren James, Sara and Julie. 

A memorial service is planned for May 18 at 10 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 509 N Florida Ave., Tampa, Fl.  For more information contact Patti Gurysh pjgurysh@gmail.com or Leslie Sibbitt RealEstateRefined@gmail.com. Friends and family may offer remembrances online at FloridaMortuary.com