Denise Modrick

Denise Modrick
Denise Marie Rafalko Modrick, 50, passed away Friday, February 13, 2009 in Carolina Rehab Center of Burke. Born January 7, 1959 in Newark, N.J., she was the daughter of Lois Rehrig Rafalko Green and the late Henry Rafalko. Denise was a 1977 graduate of Parkland High School, Allentown. She received her associates degree in applied science from Lehigh Valley Community College, Schnecksville, in 1980; a bachelor of arts degree from Moravian College, Bethlehem, in 1984 and a masters in business administration from St. Josephs University, Philadelphia, in 1993. She attended Temple University, Philadelphia, where she studied the use of linguistics in computer technologies. She held certifications as a computer professional and in project management, was accepted into MENSA in 1979 and was honored as an Outstanding Data Processing Student of the year in 1980, placing second in a national contest. She was a 2006 graduate of the local Chamber of Commerce program, Leadership Catawba. Her professional career spanned nearly 30 years in information technology, strategic planning and financial management (internationally and domestically) and included several entrepreneurial endeavors. She was the founding partner of Genesys Partners L.L.C., a consulting and investment company focused on strengthening the capabilities of small and medium sized businesses to leverage their employees and emerging internet technologies. Until 2007, she and her husband owned AAA Blinds and Window Fashions, Hickory, N.C., a specialty retailer of custom windows treatments and associated products. She was a former member of the board of directors of the Hickory-Catawba Home Builders Association, where she chaired public relations and education committees. She was a freelance writer and a frequent contributor to the Hickory Daily Record and its Business to Business publication. She was an adjunct instructor at Lenoir Rhyne University, Hickory, N.C. and the University of South Flordia, Tampa. Her adventurous spirit led her to explore the coral reefs and caverns of Belize, the volcanoes and tropical rain forest of Ecuador and the countryside and castles of Europe. Her volunteer activities included both working with the Humane Society of Catawba County, from which she took dogs to skilled nursing facilities for others to enjoy, and building Habitat for Humanity homes in Hickory and elsewhere. Survivors: Husband, John M. Manderewicz; mother, Lois Green and her husband, Carl, of Macungie; sister, Karen Leslie Rafalko Berg and her husband, Eric, of Alexandria, Va.; three nephews, Kevin Rafalko of Pittsburgh, Jordan Berg and Ian Berg, both of Alexandria, Va.; niece, Allison Berg of Alexandria. Services: 1 p.m., Saturday, February 28, 2009, a memorial service to celebrate Denises life and preserve her memory will be held in Iron Lakes Country Club, 3625 Shankweiler Road, Allentown, 18104. Friends and family will be received beginning at 12:30 p.m. Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Denise Marie Rafalko Modrick. On-line condolences may be left for the family at: www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com. Contributions: In lieu of flowers may be made in Denises name to the Humane Society of Catawba County, P.O. Box 63, Hickory, NC 28603.