Denise Mary Duffy

Denise Mary Duffy (Henry), age 73, of Wadsworth, Ohio, passed away on February 6, 2026. She was born on June 6, 1952, the eldest of six children of Newton and Alyce Henry. Denise was a graduate of St. Vincent High School and attended the University of Akron. She married the love of her life, Paul Duffy, and they shared 32 years of marriage, many of them spent enjoying their favorite vacation spot, the Isle of Palm.

Over the course of her working life, Denise's natural curiosity led her through several careers. She owned Backcourt Books in Kent, Ohio, before moving into the field of IT, where she worked at Acme, ComDoc, and Luk. Beyond her professional achievements, she poured her energy into service; as co-founder of Kids Capes of Courage, she helped create thousands of capes for children in hospitals, offering them comfort, courage, and a sense of play during difficult times.

Denise was endlessly creative and gifted with her hands. She loved sewing, knitting, crocheting, ceramics, and stained glass, and she was an avid reader who was rarely without a book. She had a deep love for animals and was always surrounded by her beloved dogs and cats; her dog Murphy was her cherished companion. Each Christmas, she opened her home to her extended family, creating traditions and memories that will endure for generations.

She is survived by her sisters Debra (William) Helmkamp and Diedre (Greg) Bartemes, her brother Andrew (Cherrie) Henry, and her dog Murphy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Duffy; her parents, Newton and Alyce Henry; and her brothers, Beau and Dan. Denise loved her nieces and nephews as if they were her own children, always taking an active interest in their lives and celebrating their milestones.

Denise always thought of others first, even up until her final moments. Her family and friends will forever remember her warm smile, her easy laugh, and the way she made everyone around her feel special. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 14, at Hummel Funeral Home in Copley, Ohio (3475 Copley Rd.), from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Kids Capes of Courage or Wadsworth Alleycats in Denise's memory.