Deanna Henning Field's Obituary
The indomitable spirit we know as Deanna (Dee Dee) Myers Thomas Field left us Thursday, December 7th, 2023, surrounded by family after a lifelong struggle with Spina Bifida.
Deanna would be the first to tell you she would not be defined by her condition as she defied the odds to live life on her terms. she was just too stubborn to let such a thing slow her down. Born on June 22nd, 1965 in Dallas to Ruth and Milton Myers, Deanna grew up in Plano Texas and attended Plano Senior High School in addition to church at Canyon Creek Baptist and Richardson East Church of Christ. Deanna loved to travel and spent some time working for Jack Tar Village prior to joining the International Communications
Association where she literally ran the show, taking on administrative duties and coordinating global conferences that included such notable entertainers as Bob Hope. Deanna loved music and crafts, she was a season ticket holder at the Dallas Symphony and an expert in cross-stitch.
Deanna persevered despite losing her father when she was 14 and being told on several occasions following surgery that she would never walk again or be able to have children. Doctors presented her a laundry list of “shouldn’t, couldn’t and wouldn’t” to which Deanna responded, “watch me”. Deanna went on to ride a bike, ski, complete a 5k walk and fulfill the three great wishes of her lifetime: to have a child, see her daughter get married, and hold her grandchildren. She managed all three through shear tenacity and a force of will beyond imagination.
Deanna is survived by her daughter Andrea Venable and son-in-law Adam along with grandchildren Oliver and Jack of The Colony. Her parents Gil and Ruth Thomas of Dallas, her sisters Susan Pejovich and husband Philip of Ft. Worth, Suzanne O’Brien and husband Pablo of San Fransisco, Amy Baker and husband Joe of White Plains, New York, nieces Emily and Candace Baker and nephews Austin, Matthew and Ethan Pejovich along with Andrew and Sean O’Brien. Additionally, all the loving relatives of the Coker family along with former spouses Jeff Henning and Calvin Field.
Deanna was not one to stand on formality and requested a celebration be held for friends and family to gather, laugh, and tell stories rather than a traditional funeral. The family will be hosting the gathering at Milo Butterfingers in Dallas on January 6th, 2024 at 3:00 pm. For those wishing to honor Deanna’s memory, she has requested donations be made to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for spinal research in lieu of flowers.
Deanna was a strong woman of faith which lifted her up through the struggles of life. She had an enormous heart and touched many on her journey here on earth. She was confident in her future as she would tell everyone when parting, we will meet again in heaven. In this spirit we celebrate her life and look forward to the time when we shall be reunited.
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