Deanna Mae LaPier (Dee Dee)

On May 17, 2020, Deanna Mae LaPier of Chazy, N.Y., passed away peacefully at the UVM Medical Center in Burlington, Vt., surrounded by her faithful husband and her two loving sons.

Deanna was born March 22, 1962, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. She graduated from Plattsburgh High School with a Regents diploma in June 1980 and enrolled at SUNY Plattsburgh that fall, but her life's plan changed when she met her future husband, Roland Roger LaPier Jr. while working at Kentucky Fried Chicken. It was then this young romance blossomed and stayed in bloom the rest of her life. After a two year courtship, Roland and Deanna were wed on Sept. 4, 1982. She continued her career working for Sun Foods/Hannaford in various roles, including Dairy Manager, Produce Manager, and Corporate Trainer.

On Oct. 1, 1983, just a year after their wedding, Roland and Deanna were overjoyed to welcome into their family a son, Courtney Bryce LaPier. It was at this moment Deanna discovered her true purpose in this life. There was nothing more in this world she loved and cared for more than her children. She was the very definition of a devoted mother. Knowing the family was not yet complete, on July 22, 1985, the family added a second son, Whitney Brent LaPier. With her 2 boys and husband, Deanna had all the love and support she needed in this life. These three men were her rocks, especially her husband. This would be proven over and over throughout her future struggle with MS and ALS. She chose to "Live with ALS and MS, not die from it" by being BOLD, BRAVE, and FIERCE.

Eventually, Deanna left Hannaford and worked as a Produce Manager for Wal-Mart before taking a scary leap and doing a complete 180 with her career. She took a position working for the North Country Chapter of the American Red Cross as the Emergency Services Coordinator. She would remain in this position until she retired. Meanwhile Roland worked his way up through the ranks of the NY DOC working as an officer at Altona and then as sergeant and finally a lieutenant at Dannemora. Meanwhile, her sons made her very proud. Courtney graduated from Chazy High School and Clinton Community College. Following in his father's footsteps, Courtney became a corrections officer. During that time he met and married his wife Jessica (Weymouth) in October 2010. Whitney also graduated from Chazy High School and went on to earn degrees from both SUNY Plattsburgh and Albany College of Pharmacy. He works as a pharmacist and married his wife Catherine (Franke) in May 2010.

After being diagnosed with MS and subsequently ALS, Deanna's life took another turn and she earned a new title, Nanny Dee. Deanna loved her sons, but her grandchildren were the fuel that fed her fire. They were her motivation to fight day in and day out to survive. They kept her spirits up and her heart full. When she felt down, a visit from her grandchildren always perked her right up. Her first granddaughter, Emma Claire, was born to Whitney and Catherine in January 2012. She would henceforth be affectionately known as "Little Dee Dee." Courtney and Jess would welcome the ray of sunshine Shelby Quinn later that year in November 2012. With two granddaughters, Deanna found her will to fight and it was reinforced with each new grandchild. Whitney and Catherine had their second daughter, Anna Mae, in August 2014 and Courtney and Jess had their second daughter, Libby Brynn, in May 2016. Deanna was in grandkid heaven, spoiling them, especially on every birthday and holiday. Finally, Courtney and Jess gave her a grandson. Mr. Holden Bryce was born in November 2017 and Deanna was ecstatic. As far as she knew, that was the end, as her children had said they were done having babies. But, Whitney and Catherine surprised Deanna with one more inspiration. In January 2020, Mila Whitney was born and Deanna had one more reason to fight for life, which she did with grace and courage until her final day. She lived life for her children and grandchildren. She loved them and her husband with everything she had and they loved her just as much. "To the Moon and back," as she would say.

Deanna was preceded in death by her grandmother, Viola Gordon and her two fur babies, Kelsey Kae and Molson Brewster. She is survived by her loving husband and partner of almost 40 years, Roland LaPier Jr.; her sons Courtney (Jessica) LaPier and Whitney (Catherine) LaPier; her six grandchildren: Emma, Shelby, Anna, Libby, Holden, and Mila; her father Robert (Phyllis) Price; her mother-in-law Leona LaPier; her sisters-in-law: Cathy (David) Matott, Deborah Decosta, Susan LaPier-McCready and Ann (Francis) Carter; her brothers-in-law: Robert (Michelle) Frenyea, Douglas Frenyea, and Joel (Lou) Frenyea; as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to all the medical professionals that cared for Deanna at both CVPH and UVM Medical Center, as well as the Champlain/Mooers EMS. Due to the current pandemic, there will be no services at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held in Deanna's honor at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Deanna's name to either Champlain/Mooers EMS or the ALS Foundation.