September 4, 2019
REST IN PEACE
Denis P. Barrett-Dennehy (Denny) was born Oct. 13, 1933 in Seattle, WA. to Denis and Agnes (Evans) Dennehy, the second of four children. He died at home in Portland, OR. on Sept. 4, 2019.
Denny attended St. Margaret and St. Joseph elementary schools and graduated from Seattle Prep. After one year at Seattle University, he entered the Society of Jesus in Sheridan, OR. in 1952. He studied theology and French in Toronto, Canada (beginning a life-long love of hockey and all things Canadian and French), and was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1965. He taught English and French at Gonzaga Prep in Spokane, Jesuit High in Portland, Gonzaga Uni-versity and Seattle Prep during his 29 years as a Jesuit. He had a sabbatical from teaching and studied Psychology in San Francisco, completing a Masters degree in 1980.
In 1981 he left the Jesuits and married Nancy Barrett on August 8, 1981. They settled in Port-land, OR. He established a marriage and family counseling practice and subsequently formed a partnership with Dale Wotring and Bob Byrne to begin Evergreen Counseling Services in Van-couver, WA. After retiring from Evergreen, he maintained a small private practice up until shortly before his death.
Denny was known for his wonderful smile and characteristically recognizable laugh, well known at family gatherings. He was a warm and loving man, deeply committed to his faith and caring service to others. He remained a Jesuit in his heart and spirit. He was an enthusiastic basketball player, skier and hockey player in his younger years, and a sometimes golfer as time went on. He was a beloved "Uncle Denny" to all his nephews and nieces and then became a "Greaaat Uncle Denny". He was an excellent cook and enjoyed good food, good wine, gatherings with family and friends and definitely single malt scotch.
Denny is survived by his loving wife Nancy, his sister Patricia Thenell, sister-in-law Marilyn Dennehy, many nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces and was just getting started on the great-greats. He was preceded in death by his sister Julie Brown and his brother Michael.
He was well loved and respected by those who knew him and will leave a lasting impact on those he was privileged to serve as teacher and counselor.
A Funeral Mass will be at St. Ignatius Catholic Church 3400 SE 43rd St. Portland 97206 with viewing to start at 10 am and service to start at 11 am followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Concluding services and entombment will be at River View Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Rose Villa Foundation, 13505 SE River Road, Portland, OR. 97222.
Denis was a member of CORPUS.