Kathryn Elaine Denny

July 17, 1952 — May 25, 2024

Concord

Kathryn Elaine Denny, 71, died on May 25, 2024, at Atrium Northeast after a two-year battle with cancer.

Visitation will be at Hartsell Funeral Home, 460 Branchview Drive in Concord from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28th. Elaine’s funeral service will be Wednesday, May 29th, at Hartsell Funeral Home Chapel at 11 a.m. In addition to her Concord services this week, a celebration of life will occur in eastern NC later this summer.

Elaine was born in Concord in 1952, the daughter of the late Howard L. and Frances McEachern Denny. She graduated from Concord High School in 1970 and earned her BA and master’s degrees from East Carolina, in 1974 and 1978 respectively. She spent her career working for the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in many different capacities and locations. Elaine was instrumental in drafting policies and procedures for North Carolina’s national accreditation. She served as a psychometrist and social worker at Dobbs Training School in Kinston, NC. She was an adjunct instructor at East Carolina University supervising interns and serving as a guest lecturer.

While in DJJDP Central Office in Raleigh, she served as the Detention Center Director. All who worked with Elaine were inspired by and respected her work ethic, knowledge of juvenile justice law, professionalism, and child advocacy. When she retired after 35 years, she received The Order of the Longleaf Pine which is the highest honor in North Carolina state government.

She was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, and aunt. As her career moved her from place to place, Elaine acquired a vast network of dear friends whose loyalty and dedication to her were matched by Elaine’s steadfast love and commitment to those she held dear. Elaine loved to travel and to shop; one could always count on her to have the latest gadget and know where to find the best deal! She often visited friends and “her families” in eastern NC. She spoiled her cats. After moving back to Concord in 2014, she enjoyed serving on the Class of 1970 reunion committee whose members became so close they still meet monthly years after the last reunion.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Charles Denny. She is survived by her niece Dr. Lisa Denny, nephew-in-law Dr. Stephen Buka and great-nephews and niece Tyler, Jason, and Chloe Buka of Rhode Island.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Safe Haven For Cats, 8431-137 Garvey Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616-3267, safehavenfor cats.org or Furball Farm Cat Sanctuary, 3405 220th Street East, Fairbault, Minnesota 55021, furballfarmcatsanctuary.com or to a charity of your choice.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Denny family.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)

Hartsell Funeral Home - Concord

460 Branchview Dr NE, Concord, NC 28025

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Funeral Service

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)