In Memoriam: Denise Marie Soukup Berilla, 1949-2021

Denise Berilla, who held administrative positions in the College of Engineering and the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment at the University of Delaware, died in her sleep on April 19. She was 71 years old.

In 1987, Berilla began working at the University of Delaware, first as manager of operations in chemical engineering for more than 10 years. After taking a position at Rutgers University, she returned to the University of Delaware in 2005 to become a manager in marine studies. In 2009, she was promoted to assistant dean of the then-College of Marine and Earth Studies. She retired from the university’s College of Earth, Ocean and Environment in 2012.

Born in Maynard, Ohio, Berilla earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics from the Ohio State University.