Mrs. Delia Link Kirwan

January 3, 1934 - January 3, 2024

In Loving Memory of Delia Link Kirwan

Delia (Dede) Jean Link Kirwan passed away on January 3, 2024, at the age of 90, in Wilmington, DE. Born on January 3, 1934, in Lexington, Kentucky, she was the youngest daughter of the late Harold Forrest Link and Delia (Sloan) Link. Dede was the devoted wife of Denny Kirwan.

A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Dede earned a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. She had a lifelong commitment to learning and education. Her teaching career started in Cassopolis, Michigan and continued in Norfolk, Virginia and The Woodlands, Texas.

Dede was an avid tennis player and played competitively in amateur leagues and tournaments for many years. She also enjoyed hiking, swimming, horseback riding, photography, sewing, and gardening, along with card and board games. She was the “queen of her kitchen” and enjoyed hosting parties, especially for university students. She was a cosmopolitan woman, having lived in Kentucky, Michigan, Virginia, Rhode Island, Texas, New York, Berlin (Germany), Florida, Wyoming, and Delaware. She volunteered with several organizations devoted to improving lives in these communities.

A long-time member in the League of Women Voters, she served as a delegate to their National Convention. For many years she served on the Newark Area Welfare Committee with emphasis on the homeless. Dede was active in the University of Delaware Women’s Club and in raising scholarship funds for women. For her efforts she received their “Woman of the Year” award. In addition, she was an active member in the First Presbyterian Church of Newark.

Dede was a devoted daughter, caring sister, loving mother, and supportive wife. Her outgoing and energetic personality left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. Her husband, Denny Kirwan, and their three children; Michael Kirwan, Patrick Kirwan and his wife, Karen, and Albert Kirwan and his wife Jessica; survive her. She is also survived by her four beloved grandchildren, Daniel Kirwan, Charlotte Ann Turley, Lewis Kirwan, and Alexander Kirwan, as well as her four nephews and four nieces.

Dede was preceded in death by her parents, her two sisters, Ruth Montgomery and Virginia Stamper, and a dear cousin, Harter Crutcher.

There will be a private ceremony for her close friends and family at the Head of Christiana Cemetery. A celebration of her life is planned for a later date.

To share your condolences and memories about Dede’s remarkable life, please visit www.rtfoard.com.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Newark Area Welfare Committee https://www.newarkareawelfare.org or The Children’s Tumor Foundation www.ctf.org.

RT Foard

Nathan Paldor

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In Loving Memory of Delia Link Kirwan Delia (Dede) Jean Link Kirwan passed away on January 3, 2024, at the age of 90, in Wilmington, DE. Born on January 3, 1934, in Lexington, Kentucky, she was the youngest daughter of the late Harold Forrest Link and Delia (Sloan) Link. Dede was the devoted wife ofContinue Reading

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I'd met Dede Kirwan through my acquaintance with Denny about 15 years ago and visited the Kirwan family, irregularly, several times since this first visit. In these visits Dede impressed me as an outstandingly warm, affectionate and welcoming person that can be rarely found today. I will always remember her as a warm host and a great companion for an afternoon chat on the porch over a glass of wine. I regret not keeping in touch with her more frequently and am happy to learn she has not suffered much in the last few months of her life.

My sincere condolences to all of Dede’s family. I am fortunate to have met Dede through the UD Women’s Club and enjoyed meeting up with her over the years. One of the events she organized was a Kentucky Derby watch party, and I remember that she introduced me to mint juleps. She was a kind and gentle soul and I know she did much to improve the lives of others. May she rest in peace.

I first met Dede when I was a child-she was my sister Patty’s sister in law. I remember the family coming over to my parents’ house in Lexington and meeting her sons. Over the years I would see Dede at Kirwan Thanksgivings, hosted by Patty and Brit. Always gracious and kind. I last saw her in 2018. My condolences to Denny and the family.

Dede was a dear friend for many years. We met when our husbands were colleagues in what is now the College of Marine Science at USF, St. Petersburg. Dede was fun, smart, gracious, and accomplished in many areas. Over time and several moves we kept in touch and were always happy to have a reunion. I shall miss her deeply but am grateful for having had her in my life.

We are saddened for the passing of a sister, a mother, and a good friend, Dede. Our deepest condolences to Denny and the family. We have known Denny and Dede since 2011 when I worked with Denny for two years at UD. We are grateful to know such a wonderful, amazing and loving person like Dede. Attached is a picture of Dede, Maalim's mother, and our son Ibby. Dede will live for ever in our hearts, we will for sure miss her voice, smile and kind heart. God Bless her soul. Maalim & Mohamed
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Dear, Dear Aunt Dede, you are so very much loved and will be sorely missed. You and Uncle Denny have always been pivotal in our lives. We were the mezzanine generation—you, as the “baby” of the link family, and me as the oldest of the Link grandchildren. You were my wonderful role model—sweet and smart, a fierce defender of the causes you believed in. You made the world a better place.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.