Denise Rosselli
NAPA VALLEY - Denise Louise Defilippis Rosselli passed away at age 71, due to complications from systemic sclerosis on September 4, 2024, in her home in Napa Valley.
Denise was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Bernadette Defililppis. She is survived by her sister, Suzan Mikolajcik and niece, Anne de Ridder; younger brother, Joe Defilippis; nephew, Joey Defilippis, and niece, Cara Defilippis.
Born and raised in Napa, Denise graduated from Justin-Siena High School in 1970. She married Chris Rosselli shortly after high school; although divorced, they reconnected later in life and remained friends until her passing. Denise went on to earn her undergraduate degree at the University of San Francisco and later, completed her masters degree in Creative Writing at her Alma Mater.
Driven by her care for animals, her early professional life included time as a Veterinary Technician in Ojai, CA and later, at Silverado Veterinary Hospital.
In 1997, she became a full-time professor in the English department at Napa Valley College where, over the course of an illustrious 20-year career, she served as the Division Chair of the Language Arts and Development Studies Division, President of the Napa Valley College Faculty Association, Coordinator for the NVC Writing Center, and earned the McPherson Distinguished Teaching Award. She had a wide reach at Napa Valley College, admired by students and faculty drawn to her intellect, humor, and infectious passion for teaching.
Napa Valley College will be hosting an event to honor Denise and her achievements, details to be announced. Denise pursued life, she did not just live it. A lover of rock n roll, she saw the Beatles live. She cheered on her horses from afar at the Kentucky Derby, and locally at Golden Gate Fields. She explored Italy with her girlfriends and hosted luxurious Oscar parties. She never stopped learning and seeking new life experiences. Over time, she added the WWE, college football, and space travel to her long list of interests. And of course, the animals, especially the hard-lived, whom she loved unceasingly and would admit she preferred to humans.
Even so, she loved her people and it felt special to be close to her. Her life-long, treasured friends can speak to this. Denise maintained her curiosity and humor, sardonic at times, through life's tragedies - losing her home in the Atlas Fire in 2017 and eventually, her sickness. Denise was unbeatably smart, strong, fun, witty, thoughtful, and hip. And will forever be remembered that way. We are all lucky to have shared time with her.
Arrangements are being made for family and chosen family. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to one of Denise's favorite causes:
Old Friends, Inc.: oldfriendsequine.org Primarily Primates, Inc.: primarilyprimates.org Ironwood Pig Sanctuary: ironwoodpigs.org Napa Valley College Foundation: napavalleycollegefoundation.org
