Hayde Denise Cruz

Hayde Denise Cruz

1977 - 2025

The world lost a beloved wife, mother, and friend, Hayde Denise Cruz, on September 13, 2025. Denise, as she chose to introduce herself, had a unique strength, courage, humility, and brightness that was seen and felt by every person she met. Unsurprisingly, she built a beautiful community of friends and family that filled her home until her final days. Denise passed away in the company of her husband Jose, children Harry, Jared, Steve and Adelis, Mother Maricruz, and her chosen family The Folgars.

Denise was born on May 19, 1977, in Brooklyn, New York where she gained lifelong friends and built a chosen family within her neighborhood and the apartment building, she grew up in. She truly valued friendship, connection, and family, whether it was blood relation, through marriage, or simply chosen. She was a mother before everything, and she played this role for anyone who needed a confidant or judgement free space. She loved her sons more than anything and quickly embraced the bonus kids that came with her marriage to Jose. She had the opportunity to experience true love and happiness in her marriage, and their time together was easily the best of their lives. She had an adventurous spirit that led her on travels around the world and creativity that showed through her fashion sense. She truly lived a beautiful life filled with faith, happiness, and love.

Denise worked in business focused on shipment of humanitarian aid. Both in her personal and professional life she gave what she could to help others. Her faith in God was very present in her life and guided her through the various challenges in her life from personal matters to her illness. She shared her faith with others by placing a little Jesus every place she visited as a reminder that Jesus loves everyone. As her family, we hope to find more of her little Jesus out in the world. 

Relatives and friends of the family held  a memorial service honoring and celebrating the life of Hayde Denise Cruz on Saturday, September 20, 2025.