Deena M. Pietrantonio

Deena Pietrantonio, 48, of Iron Mountain passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, at Upper Peninsula Health Systems in Marquette, MI. She was born September 5, 1972, to William and Linda (Rucinski) Bell. Deena and Dave Pietrantonio have a son, Tony Pietrantonio, who was Deena’s pride and joy. She was so proud of the man he has become. Deena brought so much joy to life. She was the friendliest, sweetest person, and she had a genuine interest in all people. She could strike up a conversation with anyone and make them feel special. No matter how Deena was feeling, she was always there to encourage others to live their best life. Deena was beautiful inside and out. She loved to take road trips to the casino to play the slots, looked forward to shopping at Hobby Lobby and eating at Red Lobster with Lorrie after her Green Bay appointments, and longed for the day when she could ditch her wheelchair and go fishing with Papa Bill again. Deena and Lorrie spent most of their childhood in a boat with Papa. When they weren’t fishing, they were either roller skating through the hallways or swimming at North Dickinson School with Julie St. Arnauld-Richtig and Christine (St. Arnauld) Talerico. Most people have a sweet tooth, but Deena had an insatiable salt tooth. There was nothing she enjoyed more than garden tomatoes with her salt shaker! Deena also loved to make beautiful bracelets she shared with old and new friends. Every resident, their family members, and the staff at Manor Care, was adorned with her hand-made, meticulously crafted bracelets. She loved to share her creativity and leave people with a little piece of her homemade love. She was gifted beads and crafting supplies from so many generous people who were her cherished friends such as Julia Sanicki Berglund, Linda Dale, Tracey Gaie Giannunzio, Julie Trulock, Selena Okler and so many more. She appreciated all the gifts people adorned her with; she was truly blessed to be surrounded by such caring and thoughtful people. She loved her ridiculously early morning phone calls with her buddy, Jeni Sandberg. It was the perfect way for Deena to start her day. Then Jeni, Gary and Deena would burn through many hours playing electronic scrabble, loving every minute of it. Deena was also blessed by her friendship with Mariah Schewe, Mariah’s mom Lynn, and Mariah’s beautiful daughters, Kooper, Kennedy and Karsyn. They spread so much love to Deena by lavishing her with hugs, gifts, coffee drinks, and their undivided attention. They all hold a special place in Deena’s heart. Deena’s days were busy, but she always made watching Dr. Phil a priority (repeat episode or not). She loved playing music on her tablet in the early morning hours to keep her nurses dancing right along with her. Deena also loved scrolling through Facebook to keep connected with her high school friends from IMHS Class of 1990. She treasured every one of her friendships. She had many great times and amazing memories with Alison Pop, Irma Rangel, Tami Trevillian Slagle, Kathi Runsat Ellis, Tara Schorman Jasinski, and Missy Schuelke Hyska. Theresa Peterson Proudfit, Kelly Phillips Gendron, and so many others joined Deena in making awesome memories with their constant shenanigans. Deena and Ida Scott enjoyed fish fry’s from Damian’s or pizzas from Pizza Pete with lots of pepperoncinis. Deena was adamant about her pepperoncinis. Deena’s neighbor, Debbie Peterson, would take her to lunch and treat her like royalty. Deena always spoke kindly of Debbie and her brothers and appreciated their friendship. Time spent on the phone, in person, or by the window visiting her son Tony was the most cherished part of her week. She absolutely adored him and was so proud of him for “making good choices.” Deena also loved the annual tradition of sleeping at Papa Bill’s Christmas Eve with Lorrie, Mike, Lexie, Libby and Tony. Deena loved being in her recliner with her fan blowing directly on her, a tv tray set up with all her essentials and simply being in the presence of loved ones with amazing food (thanks to Nina Strand, Papa, and Gram Pam Vross) and presents filling the room. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” started our annual tradition every year. Deena would crank it up and instantly the holiday joy filled the room. Staying at a cottage each summer with Lorrie, Mike, Lexie, Libby and Leah was Deena’s way to cope with the long, cold winters. She and Lorrie would spend the day drinking bloody mary’s, talking, listening to music and playing cribbage. Papa and Nina would supply all the food for a fish fry and all the relatives came to eat, laugh and play. It was always an exceptional time, and we all have some hilarious Auntie Deena memories that were made throughout the years at the cottage. She worked at DCH from June 1990-January 1998. She was an admitting registration clerk and became a health unit coordinator. She loved working at the hospital and made many friends that have lasted a lifetime. Any time Deena had an appointment at the hospital, we knew she was in good hands because her former coworkers treated her like family. They went above and beyond to make Deena comfortable and relaxed. Deena was preceded in death by her mother, Linda Bell; her maternal grandparents, Frank and Violet Rucinski and her paternal grandparents, Robert and Mary Bell; and her uncles Frank Rucinski and Emil Dunlap. Left to cherish her memories are her father, William Bell (Nina Strand); her son, Tony; her sister, Lorrie (Mike) Vross and nieces Lexie and Libby; also many cousins, aunts and uncles. Extra thanks to the extraordinary staff at Manor Care Nursing Home who made a special home for Deena. The amount of love, care and attention they provided to Deena was remarkable. Deena will certainly miss her morning cafe coffee crew with her pals, Debbie Olson, Pamela Lantz Miller and so many other beautiful souls sharing life and love everyday. She always looked forward to her chats with her buddy, Warren Olson, the extra attention and love from Tierney Arcand and Beth Gazda and enjoyed her visits from Brian Dale and David Vross. Deena made friends with an “oil angel” named Denise Hicks who generously shared all her Doterra oils recipes, scented oils, roller bottles and diffusers. Deena was absolutely thrilled and loved diffusing essential oils. Denise always laughed as Deena struggled with the “less is more” concept. As visitors entered Manor Care, Deena’s oil-of-the-day would be wafting throughout all the hallways of the entire building. We are truly heartbroken, but know Deena is finally at peace. She’s dancing to blaring 80’s rap music and surrounded by all her former pets. Deena was one-of-a-kind and truly a legend. Private family services will be held. Due to the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19, Deena’s celebration of life will be held at a later date in the summer of 2021. Arrangements will be made by Erickson-Rochon-Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.

Deena M. Pietrantonio

September 5, 1972 - October 21, 2020