Ms. Deena Jean McLeod was born on May 18, 1982, in Edmonton, Alberta. She was raised in Sherwood Park, Alberta until she moved to Fort McMurray, Alberta for a six month period living with her Aunt Laura and Uncle Mike and their three children, Graham, Lia and Matthew. From there she moved with her mother and brother, Andrew, to Richmond, B.C. in 1990.
Deena loved her swing set and sandbox, and digging in the dirt. The neighbour children would join her and Andrew playing the Fisher Price band set marching around the yard. She and Andrew got two oversized guitars to strum when they were in preschool. The guitars were too big but they sure had fun trying. Uncle Glenn Forsyth made an oven for her which also served as a toy box which she enjoyed playing with. She was a fun loving, easy going child in Sherwood Park attending Brownies where she worked hard to achieve her badges. It was unfortunate that her Mom and Dad separated and plans for a move to Richmond, B.C. were made.
Having a working single mom was a difficult time for Deena as she was at a babysitter after school until mom finished work. She was always determined to make her own decisions – good or bad. After a serious incident, Deena and Andrew moved to Edmonton to live with their Father, Craig McLeod. It was a period of her life that was crazy for her. I think she felt rejected by her mom at a vulnerable period in her life. She became withdrawn and returned to live with mom one year later; Andrew stayed behind with his father. She had counselling through the school and attended an alternative high school to improve her grades.
Deena and Jeff Yellowega were together and Owen McLeod was their lovely son who was born in 2003. Deena and Travis Desmeules parented two lovely girls, Claire and Madisson Desmeules. Unfailingly, these three children were her world. She took them all over Vancouver area by bus as she did not drive. She did get a drivers license in 2013 so, when her father passed, she was able to take on his vehicle and get around to her various appointments.
Deena passed away on March 9, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the age of 40 years. She will be missed most for her fun-loving spirit, her love of her children, her loud music while cleaning, her ability to cook up a storm at home and learn great recipes with Katie Dolan at the Dish Café in Kirkland Lake, Ontario and to bake the most amazing birthday cakes for her children.
Deena was predeceased by her Father, Craig McLeod in 2013, her Uncle Mike in 2015 and her Grandfather, William Anderson in 2017 and is survived by her son Owen McLeod and daughters Claire and Madisson Desmeules, partner Jodi, mother Karen and husband, Jim Thomson, Aunt Laura Rogers, Uncle Bill Anderson (Eileen) Aunt Cathy Forsyth (Glenn) and grandmother Jean Anderson.
Loving thanks to the many people who attended Deena during her stay at St. Paul’s Hospital. Everyone with whom we made contact were so giving and caring. Deena was part of the organ donation programme and therefore her heart, kidneys and liver were donated. She lives on in the people who were the recipients.
A Memorial Service will be held for Deena on Friday May 26, 2023 from 2:30-4pm at Glenhaven Memorial Chapel, 1835 E. Hastings St, Vancouver. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Glenhaven Memorial Chapel, Phone 604-255-5444
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