Dena F. Bunis

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Syracuse University

Dena Bunis Obituary

Esteemed journalist, editor and mensch to all who knew her, Dena F. Bunis, 70, of Chevy Chase, MD, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

Her career as an award-winning reporter and editor included stints as managing editor of CQ Healthbeat, Washington bureau chief of The Orange County Register, and longtime reporter for New York Newsday and The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. Since 2017, she has worked as senior writer and editor for AARP's digital and print platforms, specializing in Medicare, prescription drug prices and elections. She also spent several years as a speechwriter for the director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

With a journalism degree from Syracuse University's Newhouse School, Dena was a fierce advocate for newsroom workers, holding leadership roles in the Rochester (NY) Newspaper Guild in the '80s, and later in Newsday's union. She was also a board member of the National Press Club Foundation and its Journalism Institute.

Dena loved her work, reading, and the occasional poker game or movie. And she loved her cats. And the Nats. And her beloved Syracuse Orange. But mostly she loved her friends and extended family, communing over dinner she'd made or a meal out.

Dena was predeceased by her parents Herman & Marsha (Wapnish) Bunis; she is survived by loving cousins, Abe and Janice Bunis of Florham Park NJ; Paula (Wapnish) Hesse of State College PA; Arielle Hesse and Sam Stehle of Alexandria VA; David Bunis and Jacqueline Hallo of Newton MA; Lora Bunis (Gary) Wegner of West Orange NJ; Paul Bunis (Melissa) of Wrentham MA; Michael Bunis of Boston; Larry Bunis (Gayle) of Cherry Hill NJ; Vicki Rosenthal (Jimmy) of Florida; Morton and Anita Bunis of West Palm Beach FL; Rikki Spector of Baltimore; many younger cousins, and lifelong friends Robert Palmer and Ward Pedde of Rochester NY.

Funeral service is 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17 in Huntington, NY. Memorial gifts may be made to Syracuse University, the Newhouse Dean's Fund, with "in memory of Dena Bunis," written on a check (or online), in hopes a scholarship fund might be created. Address: Jodie Ralston, Advancement Services, Syracuse University, 640 Skytop Road - Room 240, Syracuse, NY 13244-5160. Online: newhouse.syracuse.edu.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Mar. 17, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Dena Bunis

11 Entries

Lisa

July 11, 2024

I went to SU and was a roommate of Dena´s and to be honest , I had no idea what her childhood was like nor have an inkling that she would be as accomplished as she was maybe because of it. When I recognized her name as a writer with AARP and read all her responses to readers´ questions about Medicare etc. I was so impressed. I of course I googled her and became even more impressed with all her accomplishments. I am sorry we lost touch after SU but am thrilled she excelled in fulfilling her professional dreams and goals.

Katie Kosora

May 4, 2024

Aloha! Just read about Dena´s death in my AARP Bulletin. Her articles were so informative and her MEDICARE MADE EASY was so helpful to all! Condolences

Jane A Elliott

April 21, 2024

So sorry to hear of Dena's passing. I enjoyed her articles in AARP. Sending prayers to her family and friends.

Cyndi Morris

April 17, 2024

So sad. She was a great advocate for people over a certain age. AARP will not be the same without you Cyndi Morris

Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar

April 16, 2024

Dear Bunis family and friends,
It was very sad to hear of Dena´s death.
I´ll always remember her with a smile.
I covered health care, too, over many years and for different news organizations.
We were regular conversation partners on stakeouts in Congress. Seeing Dena in the scrum meant at least one part of the day was going to be good.
She was knowledgeable, fair, and firm. Best of all, she had a great disposition, positive and a bit whimsical.
Dena was the real deal!
Know that a lot of people share your grief.
-Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar

Melvin Band

April 15, 2024

I have a question for Ann Olsen who was a classmate of Dena's. Did the two of you go to PS 206 which is on Neck Road and E22nd Street? I remember having a student by the name of Dena Bunis in the 5th or 6th grade back in the 1960's. I remember her to be a very sweet smart alert student ready to learn. Please post if we are talking about the same Dena? Thank you.

Ann Olsen

April 15, 2024

I was sad to hear of Dena's death. I was a classmate of hers in Brooklyn, NY.
We were never in touch with each other but I knew that she worked for the local paper where I live, the Democrat & Chronicle in Rochester New York. I often thought of contacting her but our paths never crossed. She was quite accomplished.

P. H

April 14, 2024

R.I.P.

Tracy Bunis

April 14, 2024

My condolences, Dena sounds like a tough cookie. My grandfather was David Bunis who moved to Syracuse NY. Certainly not a greatany Bunis's. Wish the older generation was around to see where in our family line, her family fell.

Shelley Fein

April 10, 2024

I grew up with Dena. I knew her parents and some family members. Her parents died young and we lost touch when she was a child when family members took her in. This is the first time I have heard about her in over 60 years. So glad to hear she made a name for herself after such a tough beginning. My condolences

Douglas Rivlin

March 19, 2024

So sorry to hear this news. Dena was a delight and an institution. In March 2001 when I started working on immigration issues at the National Immigration Forum, she was the first name on my press list. She was tough and asked good questions, but always a joy to talk with. Her memory is already a blessing for me and to you as well, I hope.

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