Deana Lawyer Obituary (1940 - 2020)

Born Jul 28, 1940, Deana Lawyer attended Salmon High School in Salmon, ID. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Deana Lawyer.

Graduation Year	Class of 1958
Date of Birth	Jul 28, 1940
Date of Passing	Apr 15, 2020
About	Deana Collamer (Lawyer) died peacefully at Friendship Village Hospice of The Valley on April 15, 2020 in Tempe, AZ surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was 79. Deana is survived by her husband of 47 years, Richard Collamer, her mother Ellen Killian, her sister Janeale Walker, brothers Gary Lawyer (Rosalie), Brent Lawyer (Rachel), Gaylen Lawyer (Dianne) and Vaughn Smith (Geri). Her children Kari Pike (Doug), Doug Newcomb (Bobbie Jo), Paul Newcomb (Janelle), Doug Collamer, Kimberlee Collamer, and Terry Collamer (Vicky), as well as 22 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her fathers Hugh Barzee and Tom Lawyer as well as her brother Kaye. Deana, or Gigi as her grandchildren would call her, was born on July 28, 1940 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to parents Hugh Barzee and Ellen Bowles. She is the oldest of seven children. She grew up in humble surroundings. She once explained how the small shack they used for a home was turned into a chicken coop after they moved out. She also loved telling the story how Grandma Ellen would bring snakes home in her pocket for the kids to play with because they did not have many toys. Deana went on to graduate from Salmon High School, Salmon Idaho in 1958 and married James (Jim) Newcomb later that same year. They lived in Salmon, Idaho, Spokane, Washington, Pocatello, Idaho, Missoula, Montana, and Kalispell, Montana. During this time they welcomed three children into their family. Deana and Jim divorced in 1972 and she moved with her 3 children, Kari, Doug and Paul to Phoenix, AZ. She was soon introduced by a family friend to Richard Collamer, a single dad of three teenagers: Doug, Terry, and Kimberlee Collamer. Richard and Deana were married on June 20, 1973 and spent the next 47 years together managing the challenges and joys of a blended family. Deana loved music. She loved to sing and had a beautiful, calming alto voice. As a young woman she was a member of a women’s vocal group. Popular in their community, the women even recorded their own album. She loved to participate in the annual Messiah concerts organized by her church. There seemed to always be music in the house in one form or another. Her children were encouraged to develop musical skills, whether it be piano, flute, trombone, or singing. Everyone sang. It seemed there was nothing she couldn’t do. She was an accomplished seamstress, repairing torn clothes or making play costumes for her children. She even made her daughter’s wedding dress! Her kitchen skills are legendary. If you never had her enchiladas, scratch chocolate cake or chocolate chip cookies you were missing out! And don’t forget the secret recipe cheese logs and caramels every Christmas (she gave the secret recipe to anyone who asked). Deana excelled at typing. It seemed she could type a gillion words per minute, even before electric typewriters and computers were invented. She would parlay these skills, among others, to spend sixteen years as an executive secretary in the Arizona State House of Representatives and become the administrative assistant to Jane D. Hull, then Speaker of the House of Representatives for Arizona. She held this position until retiring due to various health issues related to Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia and what we would eventually discover to be non-hodgkins lymphoma. Deana’s favorite job was being a mom, grandma and Gigi. She loved being around her progeny. Whether it was helping them with projects, going to concerts, celebrating birthdays or just watching Hallmark movies, she loved her family. Despite multiple battles with cancer – she beat it times over the past twenty years – she found the strength to bake cookies with grandchildren and crochet blankets for weddings and new babies. And not just for blood relations. With Deana there is no such thing as a “step” child, “in-law” or “foster child”. No qualifying adjectives. You were family. Period. This included friends of her children, too. Her house was open to anyone who needed it. She always treated people with kindness. She never wanted anyone to be judged by their worst mistake. She always found the good in them. Deana was a dedicated life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She had a testimony of Jesus Christ and understood this life is the time to prepare for the next. Her life and actions are a testament to how we can love one another and treat each other as children of God. A viewing will be held at Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary on April 21st , 2020 at 10 AM followed by an 11 AM outdoor service
Events	Deana L Collmer Birth:Sunday, July 28, 1940 Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, Idaho Death:Tuesday, April 15, 2020 Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona Age:79 yrs • 8 mo Burial:Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona Memorial ID: 220334595 Cause:Cancer 1st of 7 Siblings