Mary Denise McNicholas, nee Owens, 91, born in Chicago, the oldest of two children of the late Thomas Joseph and Mary Agnes Owens, nee Madigan, passed away peacefully in her home in New Lenox on November 22, 2021, surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. Denise was the beloved wife of Michael for almost 40 years, loving mother of Mary Brizich Sweeney, James, Kevin (Diana), Patrick (Colleen) and cherished grandmother of Patrick, Mary, Jennifer, Kathleen, Seamus, Eileen, Liam, Briana and Quinn. She was preceded in death by her late husband William Joseph Brizich and her late husband James Patrick Sweeney. Denise is also survived by her sister Patricia Ann Bulger, nee Owens. She was also the devoted Aunt of Margaret, nee Bulger, (Walter) Kalisz, Catherine Bulger as well as members of the McNicholas and Brody families and beloved cousin to members of the Owens and Madigan families. Denise enjoyed painting and loved animals. Her activities included raising miniature horses and spoiling her dogs. She was a loyal Chicago Bears and White Sox fan. She especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and enjoyed traveling, to include trips to Germany and Ireland aboard the Queen Elizabeth II. Visitation will be Friday, November 26, 2021 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 235 W. North St. Manhattan, IL, immediately followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 A.M. Interment will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL at 2:30 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Denise's name may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 235 W. North St. Manhattan, IL 60442 (www.sjpmanhattan.org). Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.