Denise "Denni" A. Dunphy

The family of Denise A. Dunphy, age 78, is saddened to announce her peaceful passing at her home in Bonita Springs, FL, on September 12, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering love and kindness to all who were blessed to know her, an unmatched and infectious sense of humor, gracious generosity and a pure, selfless personality.

A native of Duluth, MN, Denise, a/k/a Denni, was the daughter of parents Jack T. Dunphy and Elizabeth J. Dunphy Barnum, both deceased. Denise graduated from Duluth Cathedral High School in June, 1965 and thereafter had a variety of careers. She was a claims adjuster for Aetna Life Insurance Company in Denver, Duluth and Portland, ME, a salesperson for a time share project in Lake Ozark, MO and finally many years in the food/beverage/hospitality industry, as well as a mobile park manager, in Naples and Bonita Springs, FL.

Denise’s family and friends remember her most for her open-door welcoming and entertaining for countless holidays, birthdays and, most especially, football-watching gatherings where she would cook her most remembered crowd pleasers of chili con queso, guacamole and famous chocolate chip bars. No matter where she lived she remained a die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan. Her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving and she always invited those who were alone and had nowhere else to go, embracing the true meaning of that holiday. Her turkey and homemade sausage stuffing were legendary.

Denise was an over-the-top dog lover. First, she had her beloved Greta who was the center of attention at every gathering. Second, she had two beloved dachshunds, Sadie and Sophie, who mirrored Denise’s personality in that they made everyone smile and laugh all the time. In retirement, Denise was a much sought after dog sitter because she always took care of them as if they were her own. Those dogs loved her and sent her Christmas gifts every year.

Denise is survived by the following: her life partner. Cynthia Matlack; sisters Terrell Dunphy, Dawn ( Toshifumi ) Komatsu, Bonnie Lou Dunphy and Kimberly ( Stephen ) Horner; aunt Mary Kay Hagen ( Louis Schindler, partner ); nieces Lauren Komatsu ( Paul Harris, spouse ) and Lydia Komatsu ( Matthew Graven, spouse ); nephews Matthew Komatsu ( Jennifer Erickson, spouse ), Tristan ( Nicola ) Horner, Adrian Horner ( Lucy Ann-Lillian, partner ) and Aaron Dunphy-Knighten; first cousins Jay ( LeVearne ) Hagen and Mark ( Loretta ) Hagen, and a combined total of 8 great nieces and nephews as well as many cousins. Denise is also survived by her extended family related to her life partner, Cynthia Matlack, namely Cynthia’s sisters Janet Matlack and Linda Gilmartin and her niece and nephew, Emma and Tucker Storrs.

A celebration of Denise’s life will be held at a future date.

Donations in Denise’s memory can be done online at http://www.foreverfriendspetfoundation.com. Forever Friends Pet Foundation is a nonprofit organization located in Bonita Springs, FL, dedicated to assisting seniors who, for whatever financial or health reasons, have trouble properly taking care of their pets.