Fashion Icon Mary Jane Denzer Dies at 83
Mary Jane Denzer, a fashion icon and White Plains resident died at the age of 83 in her home December 16. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer.
Denzer had been associated with the very best in good taste and haute couture for over 35 years, having moved her namesake boutique from its location on Mamaroneck Avenue to 7 Renaissance Square at the base of the second Ritz-Carlton tower in White Plains only one year ago.
Denzer was born in Manhattan and raised in Woodmere, Long Island. She attended Wheaton College.
During her career, Denzer dressed some of Westchester’s most popular and fashionable women. She was well known for her unique clothing selections usually created by popular designers and for her ability to identify up and coming stars in the world of haute couture. She traveled extensively from New York to Milan and Paris to select fashions for her clientele.
Denzer’s interest in fashion began at an early age. Her grandmother was a seamstress who made her own patterns and taught Mary Jane how to alter clothes to make the fit and the style just right. They would shop for fabric together and look at what the designers were doing at the time. The knowledge gained from this experience stayed with Denzer throughout her career.
Denzer modeled at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman. She later became involved with their special boutique events and trunk shows, learning how to shop and select designer fashions. The knowledge she gained from these experiences became the foundation for her own retail adventure.
Every year Denzer would choose a charity fundraiser. She raised money for such nonprofits as Channel 13, National Hemophilia Foundation, Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the American Heart Association and White Plains Hospital.
Family members have indicated the business is up for sale.
Denzer is survived by four children, Holly Alexander, Cathryn Ramin, Peter Jakobson and Tom Jakobson; three stepchildren, Alan Denzer Jr., Richard Denzer and Diane Bennett, and eight grandchildren. Her second husband, Alan Denzer Sr., died in 2006.
Funeral services are private and a celebration of her life will be held in January. Donations in Denzer’s honor may be sent to White Plains Hospital.
