Dena Lynn Speranza

Dena Lynn Orth Speranza, age 60, of Westerville, Ohio, passed peacefully at home after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer on Thursday, September 22, 2022. She graduated with honors from Westerville North High School (1979), and with honors from West Virginia University (1983) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She earned her Masters Certificate in Information Technology Project Management from The George Washington University School of Business and Public Management (1999).

Loving wife of 34 years to Isaiah; daughter, to Penny Orth (Dewey) Merdeath and the late James Orth; sisters, Julia Orth (Kurt) Vogel, Keri Orth (Joe) Rammelsberg; sisters-in-law, Darlene (Paul) Slifco, and Maura (Pete) Bernarding; 11 nieces and nephews and 14 grandnieces and nephews.

Dena was an Ohio State Champion in Indoor 3-Position Riflery as well as a High School State Championship qualifier for swimming. She went on to be the captain of the National Collegiate Rifle Championship Team at WVU, an NCAA All-American and Womens Collegiate Outdoor 3-Position Champion in rifle shooting. She also attended the Olympic training camp at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

Denas expansive career included positions as C.I.O. of Denison University (2014-2021) and C.O.O. of Allen, Williams and Hughes Co. (2002-2012). She was also the VP of the Consortium of Liberal Arts Colleges. Dena worked at the top of her field for multiple corporations and universities, helping to pave the way for women in the corporate world.

Dena and Isaiah have been very involved with their church home at One Church for the past decade and have supported multiple ministries throughout the years. Dena was also a worship leader at Northside Fellowship for many years in the early 2000s.

Some of Denas favorite things included tea parties, doting on her many nieces and nephews, crafting, bargain hunting, scuba diving, traveling the world with Isaiah, and creating seashell shortages on most of the coastlines she visited. Dena also used her love of music and beautiful voice for worshiping her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Denas love and kindness endeared her to so many. She cherished her family and close friends including her closest and dearest friends; Linnet Knight and Julie Haught. Dena always had an encouraging word and witnessed to all she met. The love of Jesus shone through her gentle spirit that drew people to her. She was a strong woman of God and full of wisdom, humility and grace, never wavering in her faith.

A celebration of life will be held at One Church (817 N. Hamilton Rd. Gahanna, Ohio 43230) on Saturday, October 22, at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the #TeamSperanza Medical Expense Relief Fund at Gofundme.com.