Denise Trissel, 67, of Hollywood, Florida, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2025. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister, Denise’s warmth and steady presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her loving husband, Paul; her devoted daughter, Rachel; her cherished grandson, Fernando; her mother, Gail; and her sisters, Lynn and Dawn. Denise spent much of her life dedicated to her family and their business, which she proudly ran alongside her siblings. Her attention to detail and care as the bookkeeper reflected her commitment and pride in their shared work. A true Floridian at heart, Denise loved the sunshine, the beach, and the life she built in Hollywood. Her kind spirit, calm demeanor, and gentle laugh brought light to many lives. A memorial service will be held at Landmark Funeral Home, 4200 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Florida, on Saturday, May 3rd, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Family and friends are welcome to join us as we celebrate Denise’s life and share memories. She will be forever in our hearts.

Visitation Friday April 25, 2025 5:00pm-8:00pm St. Philip Orthodox Church 4870 Griffin Road Davie, FL 33314 Funeral Service Saturday, April 26, 2025 10:00am St. Philip Orthodox Church 4870 Griffin Road Davie, FL 33314 Burial Saturday, April 26, 2025 11:30am Lauderdale Memorial Park 2001 SW 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

Donna Curley Baker, 72, of Cooper City, passed away April 21, 2025. Survived by loving husband Paul; daughters Melissa, Alicia (Sheehan), Brooke, and Julie (Darryl); step sons Dominick and Jake; sister Catherine and grandchildren Alishe', Angelina, James Paul and Devin. Visitation will be Saturday, April 26th, 2:00pm – 5:00pm with a service at 3:00pm all at Landmark Funeral Home.

December 17, 1940 - April 18, 2025

July 28, 1989 - April 18, 2025

Graveside Service Thursday April 24, 2025 11:00am Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens 2401 Davie Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317

Kathleen R. Garafola (O’Brien), beloved aunt, sister and friend, was reunited with her husband, Dean Garafola, on April 8, 2025. Kathleen was born July 12, 1955. She grew up in Orchard Park, NY and was one of 6 children. After moving to Florida in the 70’s, she worked for Broward County Sheriff’s office for many years as a Code Enforcement Officer, where she met the love of her life, Dean Garafola. They had a beautiful love story and were together and married for over 25 years. Kathleen is survived by her sister, Susan; brother, Frank and many nieces and nephews. Although she had no children of her own, she spent her life showing her love and kindness to other people and her furbabies. Her humor, courage, resilience, big heart, love and beauty will forever touch the hearts of all who knew her. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at noon at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery (chapel) at 1500 South State Road 7, North Lauderdale, FL 33068. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the ASPCA in her honor.

Defino, Raphael “Ralph” Albert, 93, of Hollywood, passed away on April 13, 2025. Born on Oct. 13, 1931, in Newark, N.J, he earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in teaching and later served as principal of three Broward County elementary schools. Ralph retired in 1993 after 32 years in the public school system; his last position was principal of Sheridan Hills Elementary. He was married to Theresa Defino, a former teacher and physical therapist, from 1955 until her death in 2011. He also served in the Army and was stationed in Alaska. The couple moved to Florida in 1963, where they raised six children. Ralph was a loyal friend, leader, mentor and an inspiration to all who knew or worked with him. He lived up to the description of “guileless" that was noted in his college yearbook. He could recite the name of every child in his school. He was devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren, and each of them felt his unwavering love and support. His great-grandchildren, or “the little guys” as he called them, were a special delight. After retirement, he and his wife spent countless days relishing life in their cabin amid the mountains of Georgia; they also enjoyed traveling together. Ralph appreciated nature and passed on his love of sunsets to his family. A talented caricaturist, he made model cars, could glue anything back together, enjoyed barbequing and tinkering in his garage, and took pride in fixing his car and maintaining his homes himself. In his later years, Ralph reveled in attending car shows where he and his son would stand with pride next to his 1936 Ford, a surprise gift from his son. He is survived by his children Linda (Corky), Theresa, Stephen (Marea), Kathleen and Mary Ellen; sister Marie; grandchildren Danny (Amber), Jonathan (Kristen), Sofia, Carolyn (Kris), Chloe, Paul, Julia, Sieta and Annabella; and great-grandchildren Dylan, Hyatt, Brody, Andrew, Kollyns and Adelyn. In addition to his wife, he is pre-deceased by his sister Corrine, brother Sam, youngest daughter Diane, and grandchildren Ursula and Kyle. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 5:00pm - 9:00pm with a prayer service Tuesday evening all at Landmark Funeral Home. Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be Wednesday, April 23rd, 11:00am at Nativity Catholic Church followed by interment with military honors at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in North Lauderdale. Donations in Ralph’s honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org.

Betty Ibañez de Sendadiano passed away peacefully at home on March 31st, 2025. Betty was born in Pasaje, El Oro, Ecuador on August 12th, 1935. She was the youngest daughter of Maria Belen Vallejo de Garcia and Andres Corsino Garcia Vallejo. Betty is survived by her daughters Maria Belen Melton (Ray), Maria Isabel (Todd Rouhe), Dr. Margarita (Dr. Francois Phancao), son Antonio (Sherry), adoptive daughters Marina and Elena Fares, sister Lola Davila, sister-in-law Maria Isabel Ibañez de Sendadiano de Ayastuy, and nine grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her husband Antonio Ibañez de Sendadiano, brothers Galo Garcia Vallejo and Dr. Cesar Garcia Vallejo, and by her sister Ruth Isabel Garcia Vallejo.