Denise Westfall Obituary

A Celebration of Life in her honor will be held on Saturday, May 24th at 11 a.m. at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church, 4102 E. 61st Street, Tulsa, OK 74132.
Early Life:
Denise's father was Coach Bernis Duke, who was born in Hardy, Arkansas in 1929. Her mother Norma Jean Black was born in Norman, Arkansas in 1933, the eldest sister of 10 children, and she would describe her job as a mother of three, and the lifetime keeper of Coach Duke. Coach and Norma met at Arkansas College in Batesville, where she was working in the Athletic Cafeteria to earn extra money for her college expenses. According to Norma, Bernis would show up daily as an "always hungry" college athlete, and she demonstrated her interest in Bernis by sneaking extra food and milk to both him and his roommate.
Denise recalled to Matt that many of her childhood memories revolved around summer vacations all over America, often times travelling as a fivesome in a Volkswagen Bug. But she often fondly recalled spending the summer at the Don Kerbis Tennis Ranch in southern Michigan. They had so much fun, and Denise's sister Amanda fondly remembered picking wild blueberries in abundance with the whole family.
High School/College:
Denise went to Jenks High School, having the distinction of being in the first class of Jenks graduates from the East side of the Arkansas River. With that, she also played basketball, and was a player on the first Girl's High School tennis team at Jenks, which was organized and put into existence by her mother Norma.
When she started college in 1974, she attended Oral Roberts University, where Coach Duke was the Tennis Coach from the day the university opened in 1965. As for Denise, she got her degree in Art Education, and enjoyed intramurals, and had the distinction of being on the ORU 'Korfball' team. Without getting into the sport itself, her being a member of the 'Traveling Team' gave her the opportunity to travel internationally for one summer, but according to Denise, it was really just a way to get to Europe for a few months. And as for extracurricular activities, Matt would affectionately (in a joking way) describe her as being a "serial dater" in college.
Marriage:
Denise and Matt actually attended Nimitz Jr. High in the late 60's, but according to Matt, their attendance together was 'without incident'. Their marriage of 43 years allowed them to raise three children, Spencer, Connor and Blythe, all of whom were part of the Kirk of the Hills Youth programs. She and Matt had so much fun raising their kids, and took them all over the place, including trips to nearly every state in America. But according to Matt, her 'go to' place was visiting relatives all over Arkansas.
Profession and Family:
Without having actually degrees in the following, Denise was the consummate professional in several categories, among them: Quiz Kids and Bible Drill, Swimming Instruction, Tennis Leadership and Fellowship, Bridge Tutoring and Ballroom/Two Step Dancing. And according to Matt, these are just the things that come to mind. Such a full life is really hard to put into words. Matt said he spent a lot of times just 'staying in her wake', which was just exactly where he wanted to be.
She leaves behind her heartbroken husband of 43 years, Matt, and their three children and families: Daughter Blythe Elizabeth Lenon, husband Zach and their daughter Amelia; Son Spencer Duke Westfall, his wife Missy and their children Sadie, Bridget and Asher; and Son Connor Russell Westfall, his wife Chandler and their son Mack.
She also leaves behind her incredibly wonderful mother, Norma Black Duke, along with siblings and their families: Sister Amanda Duke Scroggs and husband Scott, along with their children: Her niece Rachel Alexandria Scroggs; Her nephew Reed Weldon Scroggs, his wife Alex, and their three children Rory, Wesley and Ford; and Her nephew Rhett Robert Scroggs and his wife Hailee. Sister Melanie Ellison, her husband Stephen and her three children: Her nephew Andy George and wife Emily, and their children Nathan, Owen and Sam; Her niece Emily Beall, husband Joe and their children Audrey and Austin; and Her niece Caroline Strickland. But she really leaves behind a family that is much, much broader than just those related by blood
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