Denise Kaye Cusack

Denise Kaye (Reed) Cusack died on April 2, 2010, following a two-year battle with colon cancer. Denise died in the gentle care of Hospice of Dayton with family at her side.

Her body was donated to the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University. Her final resting place will be at the Rockafield Cemetery on the campus of Wright State University.

Denise was born December 16, 1965 in Akron, Ohio to Ronald and Sandra Reed. Denise enjoyed a happy and active childhood. She held fond memories playing on softball teams coached by her father and participating in track and cheerleading with close friends. Denise graduated in 1984 from Field High School. She remained in contact with many of her classmates over the years and enjoyed her 25th class reunion last year.

Following high school, Denise chose a career in court reporting. She worked her way through the Academy of Court Reporting in Akron, Ohio. Following graduation, she went to work for many years in the Akron freelance firm of Stoll, Peiser & Snider. Denise later served as an official court reporter for the Hamilton County Municipal Court in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the time of her death, Denise had been an official court reporter for the Xenia Municipal Court in Xenia, Ohio for nearly 15 years. There she proudly served Judge Michael Murry and his predecessor, Judge Susan Goldie.

Denise was blessed with a busy and active life. She enjoyed gardening, exercising and crafts. She was active in St. Brigid Church in Xenia, Ohio, where she and her family attended. Denise was also very involved with St. Brigid School, where her sons attend. Denise's greatest passion was her family. She especially loved participating in, and helping guide, the lives of her boys.

Denise is survived by her husband, David and their sons, Reed and Calvin; parents, Ronald and Sandra Reed; grandmother, Dorotha Miller-Ryan; sisters, Leslie Wenzlawsh (Donnie) and Valerie Carlton (Aaron); parents-in-law Michael and Dorothy Cusack; brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael Cusack (Amy), Jennifer Hatfield (David), Kristen Burgfechtel (Jeffrey), and George Cusack (Jennifer); nieces and nephews, Michelle (Dan), Kalyn (Andy), Daniel, Bridget, Michael, Madelyn, Bryson, Teghan, Jordan, Thomas, David and Dorothy; special friends, Lisa Horning and Julie Wightman, among so many others.

A memorial service and celebration of Denise's life will be held at the Holiday Inn I-675, in Fairborn, Ohio, May 8, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. A memorial service will be held earlier that day at St. Brigid Church in Xenia, Ohio. Details will be forthcoming at www.denisecusack.com.

For those in the Akron area, the family will be celebrating Denise's life at Leslie's home Sunday, April 11 at 240 Ridge Rd., Mogadore Ohio, beginning at 2 p.m.

Possessed with a kind and thoughtful heart, Denise maintained special relationships from every phase of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that contributions on Denise's behalf be made to Hospice of Dayton or the American Cancer Society.