Daphne J. Henderson

Daphne J. Henderson, 100, an award-winning artist from New Smyrna Beach, Florida and former, long-time resident of North Kingstown, Rhode Island died on Nov.23, 2024 in Centennial, Colorado, surrounded by her loving family.

 The youngest of two children, Daphne was born on August 31, 1924 at home to Mildred Mae Williams and Myron William Holmes of Franklinville, New York. She lived most of her childhood and youth in upstate New York until marrying her husband, James (Jim) Robert Henderson, in 1951. As the wife of a U.S. Naval officer, she raised three daughters and lived throughout the country, stationed on the West and East Coasts and eventually retired in North Kingstown with her husband. 

 Daphne lived life to the fullest. She loved painting, traveling to art shows with her husband, teaching art classes and doing art projects with her great granddaughters. She was a long-time member and supporter of the Wickford Art Association and past president of the Wickford Art Festival. She was also a member of South County Art Association, Whiskey Painters of America, New Smyrna Beach Artists Workshop and the Daytona Art League. She exhibited her work at the Providence Watercolor Club, the Attleboro Art Museum, the Littleton Art Depot in Colorado and at numerous art shows from Portland, Maine to Daytona Beach, Florida to Golden, Colorado. 

 When she wasn’t painting, Daphne found joy in cooking and baking for family and friends, working on puzzles, watching the birds, and partaking in a good glass of wine. In her art studio, she displayed an inspirational quote which summed up her ever-optimistic philosophy on art and life: “You can, if you think you can.” Another favorite personal mantra was “Keep moving, keep doing and keep smiling.” And she did until her final days. 

 She will be remembered as a talented, witty, resilient, patient and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Daphne is survived by her daughters, Judy Henderson and Janet Henderson Schoniger; her grandsons Eric Schoniger and Grant Schoniger and his wife Amanda; and two great granddaughters, Camilla and Stella Schoniger, all of Centennial, Colorado.

 She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, her daughter, Hollie Sunday Henderson and her son-in-law, Mike Schoniger, as well as by her parents and brother, Kenneth Holmes.

 A celebration of life service will be held in New Smyrna Beach, Florida in the spring of 2025.