April 1, 1953 – August 16, 2026
Denise Jean Gross – Loving Mother, Grandmother, Sister
Olean – Denise Gross, age 73, of Olean, N.Y., passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026, after a long illness. She was a kind mother, a loyal friend, and a fierce champion for all animals.
She was born on April 1st, 1953, in Olean General Hospital, to Sidney and Mildred (Darrin) Foltz. Denise graduated from Portville Central School in 1971, and later worked as a Medical Transcriptionist. She married Harold Gross in 1974 at Saint Andrew’s Methodist Church, and together they had 2 children.
In her free time, Denise loved writing children’s stories, making jewelry, watching her murder mystery shows, and playing with her four wonderful grandchildren. She loved gardening and spending her time outdoors, as well as watching her favorite football team, the San Francisco 49ers. Denise spent her entire life surrounded by rescued dogs, cats, and any hurt wildlife that needed a safe place to heal. Her home was never quiet and never empty.
She will always be remembered by her family for her fierceness, determination, charisma, and unflinching love. She is survived by her two children, Laura Stringer and David (Starr) Gross; her four grandchildren, Sydney, Lucas, Murphy, and Lainey; her sister Kathy (Peter) Caya; brother Sidney Foltz; as well as a plethora of rescued animals.
Denise was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harold, and her sister Marjorie.
Family will receive friends from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on Friday (August 21, 2026) at Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean. There will be a Funeral Service at 12:00 pm with Chaplain Terry Bush officiating, with burial to follow at St. Bonaventure Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Denise’s family asks that you make a donation to the SPCA or 4Ocean, or simply spend some extra time loving your own pet today.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Guenther Funeral Home, 1303 E. State St., Olean.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com
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