Deanna Martin Meyer

DeAnna Martin Meyer
7/28/1946 to 5/26/2015
On July 28, 1946, in Lewiston, Idaho, a future star was born.  Eighteen years later she won a scholarship to Weber College in Theater Arts . Over the next four years DeAnna  acted in numerous  productions, winning awards and wide recognition both as a leading and supporting actress. Her sophomore year she was recognized with a Weber Crystal Crest Award for Most Talented student, following her lauded performance  as Amanda in The Glass Menagerie. She was my wife of 48 years when she peacefully passed, after a two-year fight with cancer.  Her real starring roles were as friend, wife, mother and grandmother.
Her parents, Donald William Martin and Ruth Leavitt, both deceased, gave DeAnna nine brothers and sisters: Don (Linda) Martin, Vicky (Stan) Overstreet, Susan (Lynn) Cottle, Bob (Julie) Martin, Jill (Ed) King, and Jim Martin – deceased. DeAnna was like a third parent to them for most of her early years.
DeAnna and her husband, Alan Meyer, met in an acting class when they played Stanley and Stella Kowalski in a scene from A Streetcar Named Desire.  They were married on Friday,  October 13, 1967. Friday the 13th was intentionally chosen for luck and they remained married over 48 years and have two married sons, Jared (Suzanne) Meyer, and Joshua (Patricia) Meyer.  Jared and Suzanne gave them four grandchildren.
On Valentine’s Day, 1972, their first son, Jared Anton Meyer was born. DeAnna’s dearly beloved Grandma Martin upon hearing Jared’s name, commented, “What is he, a king?”  Jared was premature and had to have emergency surgery when three days old. He was allowed home after a month, but  DeAnna  slept with him on her chest for several weeks.
Their second son, Joshua Alan Meyer, was born on October, 26, 1973. A strapping baby, he arrived home and his 18-month-old brother, held him for the first time and pronounced him, “My Josh!” Grandma Martin pronounced, “You might as well name him  â€œ!@#$  Pot,” but she did smile this time.
For the last two years of her life, DeAnna fought an aggressive cancer and severe complications from radiation, multiple surgeries and chemotherapy.
In spite of pressure from some doctors to have her put under sedation and be allowed to die, she fought on for months and survived procedures that these experts were sure would kill her. These months of survival allowed her to spend quality time with her immediate family and brought her brothers and sisters closer together as they united in love for her.  This was her final gift to all of her family and friends who do love and miss her dry humor and warm affection.
The family would especially like to thank The Promise Hospital and Care Source  Hospice, both of Salt Lake, who gave her such humane and professional care in her final weeks.  As an Ogden Hospital ER clerk for thirty years, DeAnna knew when her frail body could fight no longer, but continued to struggle bravely until there was no fight left. She left a legacy of courage for us all, but especially dedicated to her four grandchildren, Quinn, Rachael, Kiera, and Eva, all of whose names she loves as she loves them.
A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 3 pm at the Uintah City Cemetery, 1500 E 6600 S, Uintah, Utah.