Obituary of Deanna V. Martin

Deanna Veronica Martin, age 75, of Fairfield, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on December 8, 2017.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Robert Martin; a son, Michael Martin, of Walla Walla, WA; a daughter, Maureen Valus, and her husband Bill, of Fairfield; three grandchildren, A.J., Katie, and Mark Valus, all of Fairfield; a loving extended family and many cherished lifelong friends.

Born and raised in the Parkchester neighborhood of The Bronx, New York, Deanna was the daughter of the late Peter and Catherine Smith Dean. She graduated from St. Helena’s High School for Girls and later received her Registered Nurse certification from the Holy Name Medical Center School of Nursing in Teaneck, NJ.  She began her nursing career at Jacobi Medical Center in The Bronx and later resumed her vocation with Fairfield Pediatrics until her retirement.

Deanna loved living in Fairfield for the past 42 years.  She was a longtime parishioner of Saint Pius X Church and an active member in the Bellarmine Guild of Fairfield Prep and volunteer for Lauralton Hall during her children’s high school years.  An avid sports fan, of the New York Yankees in particular, she was an active supporter of her children and grandchildren’s sporting endeavors.  She traveled to numerous destinations around the world with her husband Bob and many of their family and friends.  Visits to the water, from the Cayman Islands to Long Beach Island on the NJ Shore to the Long Island Sound beaches of Fairfield, were among her favorites.  Above all else she loved spending time with her cherished family, outings with her grandchildren, following her son’s winery and restaurant endeavors in Washington State and sharing her love and passion for cooking and entertaining with family and friends in her home.  Her kindness to others will remain a lasting inspiration and beautiful memory for those whom she touched in life. 

Her family wishes to extend particular thanks to the staff of Shamrock Home Care in Fairfield for their extraordinary compassion and loving assistance to Deanna over the past 18 months. 

Deanna's Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 AM in Saint Pius X Church 834 Brookside Drive, in Fairfield. All other services will be private.

Memorial contributions may be directed to: Operation Hope 636 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824 (www.OperationHopeCT.org) For travel directions, or to sign her guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com.