Dennis Stanley Tierney

The Reverend Dennis Stanley Tierney died suddenly at home on May 2, 2025. A beloved husband, brother, uncle, and great uncle, priest, traveler, raconteur, chef, and loyal friend--he and his many talents touched the lives of his family, friends, and parishioners. He is survived by his beloved wife, Grace; his brothers Stephen, David, and Paul; five nieces, three nephews, six great-nieces, and six great-nephews.

Dennis was born September 23, 1946, in Los Angeles, to Stanley Edwin and Laurel Davidson Tierney. The family soon left their California roots and moved to LaGrange, Illinois in 1950, for his father’s promotion. Dennis graduated from the University of Illinois, earned a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University, and embarked on a life of teaching. He earned a PhD from the Claremont Graduate School in 1979. After several years working in California higher education, including at the Far West Regional Lab for Educational Research and Development and six years with the state-wide California Commission on Credentialing, Dennis was called to serve in a new way and enrolled at Church Divinity School (Episcopal) of the Pacific in Berkeley, California. Ordained in 2002, he served the church as a priest for 23 years – first at St Bede’s Episcopal Church, Menlo Park, California, as Assistant Rector, then Associate Rector; in 2007, he was called as Rector at St Barnabas Episcopal Church, Bainbridge Island, and served there until 2016.

As Rector of St Barnabas Episcopal Church, he brought caring comfort to his parishioners and encouraged them in caring for and serving others. During his tenure, he led the renovation of the church hall and commercial kitchen and delighted in “Blessing the Bicycles” that participated in the Chilly Hilly ride each year.

In his retirement, Dennis served the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia in several capacities -- supporting smaller parishes, serving as property manager for the diocese, and overseeing the historically appropriate renovations to the Diocesan headquarters, and as Priest Associate at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle.

He met Grace, the love of his life, on Fall Registration Day at Claremont Graduate School in 1977. They were married in 1978, and together, over 48 years, they navigated the completion of two graduate degrees, two growing professional careers, two commute schedules, a dramatic career change, and two retirements.

He loved to travel with Grace, savoring the wonder of the world. Each trip enlarged his increasingly profound understanding of the interplay of history and geography. It’s complicated. He marveled at the multitude of ways people of this world make sense of their lives and their world. He always returned home changed. He read widely in these histories (and remembered what he had read!).

He treasured his extended family and was a wise and funny uncle to his nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews —buying the only prom dress he ever bought; teaching them to be charitable and prudent, as well as wise, with their money, and giving them driving lessons when they were way too young—in the St. Barnabas lower parking lot; hosting summers on Bainbridge at “Camp Grace and Dennis;” arranging cruises to Alaska to see the wild life; and telling dumb jokes. He offered them unconditional love and caring advice.

Dennis is remembered for his eight-course Chinese Banquets, his zest for life; his delightful sense of humor; his amazing imagination and curiosity, his caring concern; his love of choral music, theater, opera, history and storytelling; YouTube videos on antique Caterpillar tractor restoration; and for his willingness to be helpful. His influence was wide and deep; it remains in the hearts of all those he touched.

A special Evensong liturgy will be offed in Dennis’ memory at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle at 5 pm on Friday, May 23rd (1245 10th Avenue, Seattle); and a memorial liturgy at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church at 3 pm on Sunday, May 25th  (1187 Wyatt Way NW, Bainbridge Island).

Arrangements have been entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island.

Donations in Dennis’s memory may be made to St Barnabas Episcopal Church,1187 Wyatt Way NW, Bainbridge Island, Washington, 98110.