Deanna Lee Tenney

DeAnna was the beautiful daughter of Harvey and Carol White of Kent, beloved Mother to Melissa (Johnny) Zverloff and Cody Moore of Kent, caring companion to Mauser her dog, devoted sister to Dawn (Terry) Sharnsky of Tallmadge and caring Aunt to Megan and Nathan Sharnsky. She was the soulmate to Jerome Mullins of Kent who lovingly and selflessly cared for her until the end. They knew each other their entire lives but finally found each other in love. His love held her through this journey.

DeAnna devoted her life to the care of others and chose a career in Social Service. She was the Director of the Chagrin Falls Park Community Center since 2003 where her openness and leadership brought together the staff, community and council to ensure it thrived and continued to stay open. With the work of her team, they helped countless seniors and children in the community.

From 1998-2003 DeAnna was the Director of Safer Futures (Portage County’s shelter for victims of domestic violence). During that time she made it her immediate goal to fund a new larger facility to serve more victims. Her compassion into action raised funding to purchase and renovate a new facility that would more than triple the shelter’s capacity. DeAnna increased awareness and engaged the community in “adopting” rooms and covering the complete cost of the new facility. Through her grant writing and collaboration she increased resources for victims. Under her leadership, The Place of Peace Visitation and Safe Exchange Center was started and the Outreach Legal Advocacy program was expanded and the first multi-disciplinary Portage Council against Domestic Violence was formed. DeAnna directly touched the lives of over 1,000 victims and their children.

DeAnna was extremely creative and loved making jewelry especially with nature’s natural stones. She was an amazing floral designer who loved bringing joy to others through flowers. She lovingly created all the arrangements for Melissa and Johnny’s wedding and spent countless hours making sure her bouquet was perfect … and it was!

DeAnna’s light was bright and she was unforgettable. She saw the best in everyone and believed in helping those less fortunate. She was a woman of strong faith and devoted much of her time to the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Kent. She adored her dog Mauser who rescued her as much as she rescued him.

She was preceded in death by grandparents Harvey Sr. and Candace (Sis) White, Glen Brown, Chauncey Sr. and Dorothy Gardner, Mary Gardner and Uncle, Chauncey Gardner.

She is survived by her dear parents Harvey and Carol White, children Melissa (Johnny) Zverloff and Cody Moore, remarkable and loving companion Jerome Mullins, Sister Dawn (Terry) Sharnsky and niece and nephew Megan and Nathan Sharnsky and her beloved dog Mauser who misses their countless walks through the city.

Friends will be received on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 335 W. Main Street, Kent from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. A memory of life service will immediately follow. Cremation has taken place.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com.

Memorial contributions can be made in her name to any of the following: First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, 335 W. Main Street, Kent, OH 44240 … Safer Futures (care of Family and Community Services), 705 Oakwood Street, Ravenna, OH 44266 … Chagrin Falls Park Community Center, 7060 Woodland Ave., Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 or any animal adoption program of your choice.