Deanna Jean O’Hare passed peacefully on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 4:34 a.m. CT at the age of 81. Born on November 25, 1944, in Peoria, Illinois, to Kenneth and Mary Oakley, Deanna lived a life marked by grace, kindness, and steadfast devotion to her family and faith.

Deanna met the love of her life, Thomas Raymond O’Hare, during her freshman year at Marquette University. Their love, divinely orchestrated, grew into a beautiful marriage that spanned nearly 60 years. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, laughter, adventure, and shared purpose. Deanna and Tom both passing on the 14th of the month stands as a gentle testament to their enduring bond and eternal love.

Above all, Deanna cherished her role as a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was the devoted mother of four children: Charlynn (Felix), Brian, Kimberly, and Kevin. Being a mother was her greatest joy, and she instilled in her children a strong faith, kindness toward others, and the importance of putting God first. She never missed an opportunity to remind them how deeply loved and appreciated they were, and she always blessed them with prayer and holy water before they went out the door.

Deanna shared a uniquely special bond with her four grandchildren Alex, Alyssa, Nathaniel, and Grace. For many summers, she spent countless hours simply being present with them, doing puzzles, singing songs, praying together, and creating memories that will be remembered forever.

Faith was the foundation of Deanna’s life. She was deeply devoted to her church community, teaching children for more than a decade at St. Rita’s Catholic Church and serving as President of the Women’s Club for ten years alongside her dear friend Gloria. She found comfort and joy in daily prayer, Mass, and time spent in quiet devotion, living her faith through compassion, service, and love for others.

Professionally and personally, Deanna wore many hats. She earned her associate degree from DuPage Community College, worked in interior design, taught elementary school at St. Bernadette’s in Milwaukee, and later devoted herself fully to her family. In every role, she brought warmth, creativity, and care.

Deanna delighted in life’s meaningful traditions. Christmas was her favorite holiday, bringing her joy through church services, hot cocoa, carols, twinkling lights, and the simple beauty of the season. She loved to travel, take daily walks, spend time in nature, shop with

her children, get her hair and nails done, gourmet cooking club, dance, golf, ski, take cruises, and celebrate life alongside Tom and her family.

Music filled Deanna’s home and heart. She was always singing to her children, her grandchildren, and quietly to herself. She adored the song ‘Tomorrow’ from the musical Annie, because it reflected her hopeful spirit and gentle optimism. Her sweet voice remains a treasured memory for all who knew her.

Kind, gentle, possessing quiet strength, and full of grace, Deanna was a role model for how to live a life rooted in love and faith. Her greatest joy was simply being together with Tom, her children, and grandchildren to pray, share a meal, attend Mass, and laugh with those she loved.

Deanna is survived by her four children and four grandchildren, her sisters Tina (Jim), Debbie, and Janet (Sam), her brother David, her sisters-in-law Nora Oakley (Denny) and Maureen Unton (Ted), her brother-in-law Joe (Barb) and many dear friends from her parish and beyond. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Tom, her brother Denny, and her sister Barb.

“Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Lord.” - Matthew 25:21

Deanna left this simple and sincere message for her children and grandchildren before being received into heaven: Put God first. Receive the Eucharist. Keep your faith. Love one another.

And to her, they say with grateful hearts: Thank you for being our mom, for leading our family in faith, and for the loving family you built. You did a beautiful job.

 

PLEASE NOTE: In lieu of planting a tree, flowers or gifts, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Charlynn O'Hare to assist with funeral expenses. Contributions may be sent via Venmo at @CharlynnOhare or mailed to 12 Corte Lago, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. Or please consider donating a mass in Memory of Deanna O’Hare. Your kindness, support, and generosity are deeply appreciated.