Deanna Rose Berry

Deanna was born on July 18th, 1938 in Buckfield, ME and was the daughter of Wesley Sanford Lucas and Mabel H (Dearborn) Lucas. She graduated from Buckfield High School in June of 1957.

She married her lifelong love David H. Berry on August 30th, 1957 and just this past summer celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.

Deanna worked at Berry Hill Orchards packing apples and Hannaford deli dept in Jay Maine.

She was a member of the Dixfield Common Baptist Church. Deanna loved the Lord, her family and her life and while her family mourns her loss, they also celebrate her life and take comfort in their faith knowing she has gone home to be with her lord & savior Jesus Christ.

Deanna’s greatest treasure was her family. “Gram" as she is called by her cherished grandchildren can best be described as an unwavering presence of love & support. She was a woman who loved her family more than anything and took great joy with her involvement in the lives of her two children David & Darlene, grandsons Brandon, Christopher, Spencer & Justin and great grandchildren Kennedy, Ella & Bodhi.

Whether it was driving multiple hours to watch an athletic event with a "photo-pin" for each of her grandchildren in k-12 extra-curriculars, attending high school or college graduations, going to a musical where her grandson may be performing, sitting front row at a wedding, racing hours to meet her great grandchildren within minutes of their birth, making a big batch of molasses cookies for any neighborhood child to snag, calling on the phone every day to people just to chat or looking for any excuse to host a family event; Deanna cherished and loved nothing more than time with those who were closest with her. A perfect representation of her overflowing love of family and joy in them being around is her storied annual Christmas Eve party- a tradition that lasted decades where she would open her home to a group of people far too large for the house to hold. The shoulder-to-shoulder laughter, stories, smiles and joy experienced by countless people from her in her home have had; and will continue to have, a lifelong positive impact on generations of people.

Deanna loved adventure and made many memories traveling with her husband and dear friends Judy & Peanut Ellis. While there were many memories these two couples made together some of the highlights include their joint 3 month driving trip out to Alaska, countless camping trips and numerous snowmobile trips. The great snowmobile trip was a massive cross-country saddle bag ride where the group of four set off from Rangeley, ME and rode the entire Gaspe Peninsula in Canada and returned back to Maine; riding their machines the entire time.

Deanna was known for her “gift of gab” which she passed on to numerous family members. She loved long conversations on the phone with any family member or friend who would lend an ear- however her favorite phone calls were with her sister Gloria. While Gloria may have lived just up the road the two of them spoke every single day, usually multiple times, on the phone as if they were living a world apart. The family now misses the two of them dearly but also smiles at the reflection of these two being able to “chat” once again in heaven.

Deanna is survived by her husband David Berry, son Dave Berry & wife Deb Berry of Dixfield, ME, daughter Darlene Richards & husband Bill Richards of Dixfield, ME, grandson Brandon Berry & partner Samantha Frost Turner, ME, grandson Christopher Richards & wife Jeanne Richards of Hermon, ME , grandson Spencer Berry & wife Kasey Berry of Dixfield, Me, grandson Justin Richards & wife Whitney Sargent of Topsham, ME and her great-grandchildren Kennedy Richards, Ella Richards & Bodhi Berry as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by both of her parents, brother Weldon Lucus, both of her sisters Irene White & Gloria McVay and her great granddaughter Brelynn Berry.

A graveside service will occur this spring and the family will share details of this celebration of life for those who wish to attend at a future date once details are planned.

The family encourages everyone to remember Deanna by doing the thing she enjoyed most- loving and spending time with your family.

In lieu of flowers the family asks people to instead make a contribution to the Dixfield Common Baptist Church, 2 Chapel Rd. Dixfield, ME.

Graveside services will be held later in the Spring at Riverside Cemetery in Dixfield at a time and day to be announced. Arrangements by the Thibault Remembrance Center 250 Penobscot Street in Rumford, 364-4366. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.thibaultremembrancecenter.com .