Denise Dwyer Obituary

Denise Dwyer
Born: January 8, 1941 in Chicago, IL
Died: April 26, 2023 in Phoenix, AZ
Our beloved Dr. Denise Geraldine Dwyer is now walking in the garden of heaven.
Denise graduated from Mercyhurst College with a degree in history with a minor in French; a master's in education (French) from Georgia College and a master's in library science from Rosary College, Dominican University. She earned her PhD in curriculum from Loyola University. Denise was a Chicago Public School teacher and librarian for more than 30 years and later taught children's literature at Loyola University.
Denise, known to her close friends and family as "Den" and "Aunt Denise", was actively involved in her community and the Catholic church. She was a driving force at St. Andrew's church food pantry and cared deeply about feeding people. Denise showed her love by regularly baking dozens of poppy seed pound cakes, banana bread loaves, and homemade fudge for everyone she knew. She took pride in remembering birthdays and would send a card and sing on your special day. Aunt Denise provided financial support and sent loving care packages to her nieces and nephews during school and while overseas.
Denise enjoyed lectoring and singing in the church choir, gardening, spending time with good friends, learning the reveal or twist in murder mysteries, solving crossword puzzles and playing cards, and was known for her relentless pursuit of the deal, including many epic garage sale adventures! She was fiercely independent, drove like a maniac, and had the most adorable toothy grin.
Her guiding belief was that it is more blessed to give than to receive-she lived modestly in order to give generously. Denise was always there to listen and support and she took care of so many friends and family during the hardest parts of their lives.
Denise is survived by her sister Jean Dwyer-Dallmann, her brother John Dwyer, several nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, June 3rd at 11am at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Moore, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, please honor Denise with contributions to the St. Andrews's food pantry or your local food program.