Denise J. Donnelly

Denise Donnelly Livestream Mass of Christian Burial
Denise Joanne Donnelly, age 74, of Broadview Hts., Ohio, passed away February 19, 2025. She was born January 16, 1951 in Fairview Park, Ohio, to the late Vincent and Rosalie (nee Birch) Donnelly.
Denise will forever be remembered as someone who had a deep love for her family and friends, animals of all sizes, and always wanting to lend a hand. When Denise was 18, she started working with her parents at their family business, Vince Donnelly House of Heating and Cooling in Lakewood and would continue there for the next 40+ years. Denise was their ultimate "Girl Friday"; whatever she could do to assist in the office, she did. Her desire to be near family and help out would often continue into the weekend when she would travel to her family Arabian Horse farm in Richfield and help with the horses, gardens or whatever needed done.
Denise exemplified her love of family and friends by always being the first to RSVP to the next gathering. You could always count on her daughter Cassandra being her +1 at her RSVP'd events whether it was a Holiday gathering, joining in a local community event, catching a night out with Sir Elton John, Mick Jaggar and the Stones or out to one of Denise's favorite restaurants where she never missed an opportunity to sneak in a Strawberry Daiquiri. In case you weren't sure of her devotion to Cassandra, all you had to do was text her a joke or funny video and her first response was always, "Send that to Cassie".
To know Denise, was also to know of her devotion to the Beatles. She saw them in Cleveland as a teenager and never lost her love for them, especially the "handsome one" George Harrison. In 2018, she took the trip of her dreams to New York City to visit Central Park where John had filmed music videos and to personally "walk through" Strawberry Fields and to see the Imagine Mosaic. She liked it so much she went back the following year.
Denise was also a huge supporter of the Hallmark Store and the United States Postal Service. She never missed an opportunity to mail a card adorned with a "Rock Star" John Lennon stamp, for a birthday, anniversary or any Holiday on the calendar. We will all deeply miss those cards.
Left to cherish Denise's memory is her beloved daughter Cassandra Donnelly (Bradley Terry); Her nieces, Lisa (Paul) Backo, Melissa (Steve) Nemeth, and Josette (Ron) Elkadi; great-nieces Jessica Roberts and Emily Backo; great-nephew Paul Backo; Uncles David and Brian Birch; Aunt Joy Birch, and many special Cousins and dear Friends.
The family will welcome guests from 4:00 to 7:00pm on Thursday February 27, 2025 at Waite & Son Funeral Home, 3300 Center Road, Brunswick, Ohio. A mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30am on Friday February 28, 2025 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 1088 Ridge Rd. Hinckley, Ohio 44233. Denise will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Richfield.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Denise's favorites, The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs, PO Box 609054 Cleveland Ohio 44109-0054 http://www.sanctuaryforseniordogs.org/
Online condolences and memories may be left for the family on Denise's guestbook at www.WaiteFuneralHome.com