April 22, 1939 - February 3, 2026
After a gradual decline over the past two and a half years, Deanna left her loving family and friends to rejoin the Circle of Life.
No one loved life in Sharbot Lake more than Deanna — and what’s not to love? She was a devoted mother, and her life became even fuller and more complete with the arrival of her grandchildren and grand babies.
She cherished a home alive with music, the scent of fresh fish in the frypan, and the joyful chaos of children and friends. Days spent swimming in the lake, fishing, roasting wieners, making s’mores, and filling the cottage with laughter.
Deanna was everyone’s favourite mom, and her door was always open. “The more the merrier” was her motto.
The haunting cry of the loons as the sun dipped below the horizon could only be rivalled by its morning arrival and the promise of the new day.
Deanna leaves behind her adoring husband, best friend, and companion, Ronnie Cooke; her children, Mitchell, Christine, and Martin; and remembers with love her children Shane and Robin, who predeceased her.
Her legacy lives on in her grandchildren: Oliver, Wyoming and his wife Tiara, Ginger, Denim and his partner Becky, Natasha, Deanna Christine, Samantha and Shane; and she lovingly remembers Sarah, who predeceased her. She was a proud great-grandmother to Madison, Cadence and Wyatt, Austin, Alila, Cosmos, Georgia and Bowie, and a loving step-grandmother to Jamie and Robyn.
Deanna was not just a mother-in-law, but also a dear friend to Mitchell’s partner, Janet K. MacKay, and Shane’s partner, Cathy Granger. She also says goodbye to her dear, lifelong friend Norma Bonner.
Though our hearts are broken, they are brimming with the love she gave so freely.
Honey, Mom, Gramma, Nanny, Friend — may the waters always be warm, the wind at your back and your sails full. May your journeys from here and from us to wherever they take you, be filled with wonder, awe and love.
Godspeed, until we meet again. We love you to the moon and back.
Although there will be no formal memorial service, we find comfort in knowing that everyone who knew and loved Deanna will celebrate her life privately, in a way that feels most personal and meaningful to them.
