It is with a broken heart we announce the passing of Deanna Marie French on Wednesday, July 13, 2023, in her sleep at Foothills Medical Centre, at a very young 76 years of age.
Deanna lost her husband Lyle at the end of January 2023. Since then she has had numerous health issues, primary of which was the return of her cancer which had been in remission for six years.
Deanna will be lovingly remembered by her brother Henry (Linda), and many of the Van Ham nieces and nephews; her special friend Susan (Phil) and their family; many nieces, nephews, many friends and colleagues, especially those in the “Legion” family. She was welcomed into the extended French family with open arms, and provided an abundance of love and care personally to Cecil and Walter. Deanna was predeceased by her husband Lyle, parents Frances and Oscar Van Ham, and sister Albina.
A Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion and a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Deanna was president several times of the Royal Canadian Legion (Calgary) Branch #1. At the time of her passing Deanna was the District Commander for District 9 for the past eleven years, having earned her Meritorious Service Medal and Palm Leaf. She was also a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary, earning her Meritorious Service Medal with Palm Leaf. Deanna was co-opted to serve on a wide variety of committees, in a number of positions, recruiting many of her colleagues through Deanna’s own special way of getting others to be “voluntold”.
A celebration of Deanna’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at The Royal Canadian Legion, Jubilee Branch 286, #5 – 1107 – 33 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta.
The family wishes to extend their many thanks to the wonderful staff at Unit 42 for their care during her time at the Foothills Medical Centre. At Deanna’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorial donation’s in her memory are to be made to the Calgary Humane Society (https://www.calgaryhumane.ca/), Alberta / Northwest Territories Command Poppy Fund (https://poppyboxabnwt.com/home), or The Royal Canadian Legion Calgary Branch 1, 116 – 7 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 0H5.