Dawn Marie Duffy

Born: February 25, 1961 Died: February 12, 2024

Family

Dawn met John Duffy, the love of her life, in Milwaukee, WI while at Marquette University in 1981. They married in 1985 and shared 38 happy years laughing, loving, and adventuring wherever they landed. Dawn enjoyed coffee & quiet early mornings at their lake house, hiking, kayaking, live music, game nights, and outings with John, her kids, & friends.

Together with John, Dawn raised & adored her 3 children: John (Jay) J. Duffy III (Katie); Sarah A. (Jason) Jackson; and Jennifer L. (James) Zanayed; welcomed 2 grandchildren into the world, Eliza M. Zanayed and John (Jack) J. Duffy IV; and cherished their beautiful silver lab, Dublin.

In addition to her husband, children, grandchildren, and in-laws, Dawn loved and is survived by her brother Dale (Carolyn) Grampo, sister Dena Mendoza, parents Edward Grampo & Yvonne Kauppila, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Education

Dawn graduated from Warren Township High School, Gurnee, IL in 1979, after which she attended Marquette University, earning a B.S. degree in Dental Hygiene in 1983. While at Marquette, Dawn interned with the University's Admissions Office, traveling the country representing Marquette as a student-recruiter, honing her public speaking skills.

Career & Passion for Life and Others

Dawn began her professional career as Interim Director of the TMJ Clinic at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL followed by a 38-year career as a dental hygienist, the last 26 years serving patients-turned-friends with Dr. David Carlson, DDS and his friendly staff in Wheaton, IL. To Dawn, dental hygiene wasn't a job, but an opportunity to share the company of others.

Dawn was a born leader, a life-long student, educator, collaborator, and entrepreneur. While raising her children, when she wasn't practicing dental hygiene, Dawn was running several successful business ventures. Ultimately, after beating cancer for a 2nd time, Dawn began investigating natural healing strategies and the benefits of essential oils, turning her ever-present passion for serving others into an educational opportunity. She summarily earned certifications in multiple healing modalities, becoming a Clinical Aromatherapist, a Reiki practitioner, and a Reflexologist, using this knowledge to launch a public speaking gig, sharing her story, while organically cultivating a community of clients-turned-friends.

Throughout her life, Dawn was an active listener who engendered positivity while helping others find peace. Her fun-loving and easy-going manner were adorable; her laughter, infectious; and her persona was optimism incarnate.

Thank you for memories of your sunshiny spirit, love of rainbows on rainy days, and your warm, inviting smile. We miss you.

Visitation & Celebration of Life: Saturday, 3/2/24, 9:30a at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 815 S. Washington Street, Naperville, IL. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Dawn's name to Waterford Place Cancer Research Center, Aurora, IL: https://www.rush.edu/waterford-place-cancer-resource-center/ways-give-waterford-place, or contact Omar Ramos: (331) 301-5259.