After a brave and determined fight against ALS, Denise Dahn Griffith, 67, passed away in the comfort of her home and surrounded by her family on Sunday afternoon, August 11, 2019. Born on February 21, 1952 in Benton Harbor, Michigan; she was one of five children to Marie Arth Dahn, of St. Joseph, MI and the late Ralph Leon Dahn and wife of the late Craig Charles Griffith.
Denise graduated from Lake Michigan Catholic High School in St. Joseph, Michigan. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Central Michigan University, and went onto attain her Masters of Science in Clinical Nutrition from University of Kentucky. Denise retired from the Veteran’s Health Administration in January of this year, and prior to that enjoyed a 12-year career at SAS. She worked as a dietary clinician in a hospital setting, cardiac rehab, and dialysis clinic.
Above all else, Denise was passionate about her family. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and neighbor. She exuded a quiet strength, always observant, quick witted, and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was a Jazzercise instructor for 25 years and had a passion for health and fitness. Denise was an avid reader and loved her garden that Griff and she planted. She spent her evenings listening to nature and watching the birds. She was an animal lover to her core, and Griff often joked, “if you ever were reincarnated, may you come back as Denise’s dog.” Her beloved dogs over the years, Darby and Chewy, were constant companions by her side through life’s many chapters. It is hard to put a wonderful woman like Denise into words. To know her was to love her.
Including her mother, Denise is survived by her two children: Allison Nelson and husband Zachary, of Wake Forest and Craig Griffith, Jr. and wife Leslie, of the DC metro area; three grandchildren: Tanner, Brayden and Alexis Nelson; four siblings: Mark and Karen Dahn, of St. Joseph, MI, Suzanne and Richard “Tex” Burrows, of Temple, TX, Patrice Schroeder, of St. Joseph, MI, Jeanette O’Brien, of Bolingbrook, IL; and several nieces and nephews and their families. She is also survived by her grand-dogs: Zoe and Cooper; and by her beloved dog: Darby who held such an incredible place in her heart.
The family would like to give special appreciation to the support given to Denise and the family from Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh and to all the wonderful nurses who dedicate their careers to the service of others.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later time in Michigan. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the ALS Association or to Saving Grace Animal Rescue in Wake Forest.
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