Denise Louise Cozart

Denise Louise Cozart passed from this earth on January 4, 2024 at St. Leonard’s Retirement Community in Centerville, Ohio where she had lived for more than 20 years. She was 83 years old, born in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 23rd 1939. She was preceded in death by her father, Roy G. Cozart, her mother, Mary O’Connor Cozart and her dear brother, Jerry (Mary) Cozart. She leaves her sister, M. Charlotte (Bill) Hoeftand; dear brother, Greg (JoAnne) Cozart of Cincinnati. Denise became Sister Mary Joyce of the Precious Blood Order when she graduated from Regina High School in 1957. She served for 13 years, teaching elementary students in both Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Botkins, Ohio. After she left the convent, she was truly inspired to teach Autistic & Multi-handicapped children. She was an Honored member of the Greater Cincinnati Autism Society and recognized as a Pioneer Teacher in that field.
Denise taught in the classroom as a special education teacher and as a supervisor of Multi-handicapped students for Cincinnati Public Schools from the 1970’s to the 1990’s. .After she retired, she took care of her father until his death in 2001. She then moved from Cincinnati to St. Leonard’s Retirement Community in Centerville, Ohio where she became an unofficial photographer for St. Leonard’s as well as an avid member of the community and church. Denise was a historian and researcher of both Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. She was a member of the Cincinnati Historical Society and the genealogist for the O’Connor and Cozart families. She will be deeply missed by her brother, Greg (JoAnne) Cozart; her sister, M. Charlotte (Bill) Hoeft; her sister-in-law, Mary E. Cozart as well as her 8 nephews and nieces: Eric (Marla) Hoeft, Kurt (Kim) Hoeft, Kevin (Angie) Cozart, Jeni (Dave) Stephens, Mary Kay (Brian) Storhaug, Christy Gibbs, Kellie (Ryan) Leitz, and Christopher (Brittany) Cozart. She will be deeply missed by her many friends in Dayton and Cincinnati, her former students and her life-long friends who were Brothers, Sisters and Fathers in her church community. Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 am Friday, January 12 at St. Leonard's Chapel. The Family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 am Friday at St. Leonard's. Burial, St. Joeseph New Cemetery, 4500 Foley Rd., Cincinnati, OH. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to, Ohio's Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave 45420 or Autismspeaks.org.