Obituary of Deanna Louise Turner

April 6, 1945 – Port Alberni, British Columbia

November 16, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with extremely heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Mom, Grandma and GG. Our hearts are broken, as we say goodbye to a truly magnificent woman. Deanna passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at the age of 78, after a two-and-a-half-year courageous battle with ALS. 

Deanna had a wonderful and adventurous life. She was born in Port Alberni, BC on April 6, 1945, to parents Robert and Olga McIntyre (nee Bonora). The family moved to Nanaimo, BC when Deanna was four years old. She describes this time of life as simple and a lot of fun. She created many life-long friendships here. Her father died when she was thirteen, leaving her mother to raise her and her sister, Shirley, and take care of her grandmother who lived with them. Deanna started working after school to help the family financially. She married young and was blessed with her daughter Sheila, who she refers to as “the best treasure of her life”. Deanna left her husband when she was nineteen years old leaving her to provide for and raise Sheila on her own. This is probably where Deanna developed her strong and fiercely independent personality and strong work ethic, which continued throughout her lifetime.

Together, Deanna and Sheila lived in Victoria, Kamloops and Kelowna. When Deanna was in her 20’s, they settled in Calgary, AB, where she owned and operated Lori-Shea Figure & Fitness Centres. For ten years she helped hundreds of women achieve their fitness goals.

At the age of thirty-six Deanna sold the Fitness Centres and started a new life-long career as an insurance agent and financial advisor. This quickly became Deanna’s passion in life for the next thirty-nine years. She thoroughly enjoyed interacting with new and old clients alike. She truly cared about her clients, treating them as if they were her own family, always being there to help them in any way she could.

Deanna was an intelligent woman with a zest for new knowledge. She loved to take advantage of learning opportunities that came her way. She took courses and seminars in business, alternative medicine, philosophy and whatever else caught her interest.

Deanna loved her family dearly. Together, they celebrated every holiday, birthday and special occasion. Every year she looked forward to spending summer vacations on Vancouver Island, Shuswap Lake, and Christina Lake with her daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also treasured spending time with her stepdaughter, stepson and step-grandchildren who became part of her family later in life, and whom she cherished greatly.

Deanna enjoyed scrapbooking, creating numerous photo albums capturing her life, family and various holidays. Some of her travels included trips to China, Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, Arizona, and of course, Las Vegas. She always enjoyed sharing stories of all her life adventures.

Deanna was one in a million, she was tiny, feisty and a beautiful Liz Taylor look a-like. Her presence instantly filled any room. A vibrant woman who will be remembered most for her outgoing, flirty personality and her impressive fashion sense. She had the ability to engage in any conversation and to always make others feel welcomed and appreciated. She created many friendships throughout her life, and greatly treasured every one of them. Deanna was a regular at the local church (casino) where she could be found every Friday night gathered with friends in her continued quest for the next big win. Deanna thoroughly enjoyed life to the fullest.

To our Mom, Grandma and GG,

We love you, we miss you and you will be forever in our hearts.

Until we meet again.

Deanna is survived by her daughter Sheila (Don) Grandberg, three grandchildren, Ashley Grandberg (Evan Nelson), Steven Grandberg (Erin Boettger) and Melissa Grandberg; and four great-grandchildren, Mason, Magnus, June, and Harper. She is also remembered by her former husband Dave Allery, stepchildren, Dan (Hayley) Allery, Lindsay (Jon Burkett) Allery; and step-grandchildren, Jared, Tessa, Dane and Elli. She leaves behind her sister Shirley (Bruce) White, niece Christine Von Pander, numerous cousins and many other family and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents Olga and Robert McIntyre and her daughter Barbara Douglas.

Deanna wanted to thank her family for the countless hours of care they provided as well as the wonderful care team provided through “Granddaughters” that enabled her to live comfortably in her own home up until the very end. 

A Celebration of Deanna’s Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Deanna’s service will be streamed live (see below) on the day of, and a recording will be available there. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made, in Deanna’s honour, directly to the A.L.S. Society of Alberta (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), 7874 – 10th Street N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 8W1, www.alsab.ca.

In living memory of Deanna Turner, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.

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