Denise GARGANO

August 5, 1960 – August 22, 2025

Denise Gargano, a lifelong resident of North Plainfield, passed away suddenly at her home on Friday, August 22, 2025. She was born in Plainfield on August 5, 1960, and spent her childhood years between Plainfield and North Plainfield before ultimately settling in North Plainfield, where she made her home and raised her family.

A graduate of North Plainfield High School, Class of 1978, Denise went on to pursue her calling in nursing at Muhlenberg School of Nursing, where she earned her LPN, and later furthered her education by completing her RN at SUNY University. Nursing became not only her career but her passion, and she dedicated many years of her life to helping others. She worked in hospitals throughout New Jersey, including Saint Barnabas and Newark Beth Israel, where she earned board certifications as both a cardiac specialist,  a pulmonary and ventilator specialist. These skills, combined with her compassion, made her an invaluable caregiver in hospital settings as well as home health care. Later in life, Denise transitioned into the insurance industry, where she continued to make a difference as a senior auditor and certified case manager. She most recently served as a Senior Case Manager for Procura Insurance Company before retiring.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Denise lived a full and vibrant life. She found joy in her garden, especially in her younger days, and expressed her creativity through painting, crafts, and other artistic pursuits. Known for her warm Italian spirit, she loved to cook, and her family and friends were often the grateful recipients of her delicious meals. Denise gave generously of her time and energy to her community, having once been a member of the Watchung Hills Elks. She was passionate about animal rescue, devoting herself to organizations that helped care for and rehome animals in need. She also cared deeply about her community’s future, serving as a councilwoman in North Plainfield and staying actively engaged in local politics through groups such as the North Plainfield Forward Republicans and the Somerset Forward Republican Women’s Club.

Denise was predeceased by her beloved mother, Rosalie Gargano, and her grandparents, Frances and Aniello Gargano. She leaves behind her cherished son, Aniello Joshua  Gargano, who was the center of her world; her sister, Francine Gargano; (Tom French). She will be remembered by those who knew her as a devoted mother, a loyal friend, and a woman whose strength, intelligence, and heart left a lasting mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A celebration of Denise’s life will be scheduled at a later date. For more information, friends are asked to contact the family directly. In lieu of flowers, donations in Denise’s memory may be made to New Life Animal Rescue (newlifeanimalrescue.org | NewLifeAnimalRescue@gmail.com).