Denise DeStefano

Beloved wife, mother, nana, sister, and friend, Denise Anne DeStefano, 70, of Attleboro, passed away peacefully at home on May 6, 2026, with her devoted husband and loving son by her side, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Denise was born on September 19, 1955, to Joseph and Rosita (“Rita”) Irving. She grew up in Norwood, Massachusetts, alongside her two sisters, Donna and Dianne, in a home filled with warmth, laughter, and the kind of closeness that shaped the way she cared for others throughout her life. After graduating from Norwood High School, Denise earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Framingham State University.

Denise worked as a production planner at Masoneilan from 1977 to 2008. While working there, she met her husband, Joseph, whom she married in December 1985. Together, they built a life rooted in love and family, raising their three children—David, Dianne, and Joseph—in a close-knit community filled with endless basketball games, lasting friendships, and cherished memories.

Denise will be remembered for her infectious laugh, her love of a good story, her fierce loyalty to friends and family, and the way she made people feel instantly loved and welcome in her life and home. She enjoyed walking, reading books from the library, and sharing “just a splash” of wine with the people she loved most.

In 2020, Denise became “Nana” to her only grandchild, Owen—a role she treasured deeply. She loved him fiercely and lit up in his presence, even as her memory began to fade. The joy he brought her was unmistakable, and the love between them remained constant and clear.

She leaves behind a legacy of fierce love, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to the people she held closest. Her family will carry her memory forward always.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph DeStefano; children, David (Kristy) DeStefano, Dianne DeStefano, and Joseph (Julia) DeStefano; and grandson, Owen DeStefano. She also leaves behind her sisters, Donna (Phil) Nolfi and Dianne Dickson, and nephews, Joseph (John Livingston) Dickson and Kevin (Lily) Dickson.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation from 4 - 7 PM on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, 20 Peck Street, Attleboro, MA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 15, 2026 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 133 North Main Street, Attleboro. Burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Red Cross, a cause that reflected Denise’s lifelong generosity, as she regularly donated blood and platelets throughout her life. Please visit, https://www.redcross.org/