Deanna Michelle Penney

Deanna Michelle Penney was born September 5, 1972 in Orofino, Idaho. She passed away on July 22, 2024 at her home in Lapwai, Idaho. Deanna was the eldest child of Michael Bear of Lapwai, and Marcella Bailey of Kamiah. Deanne was a proud member of the Nez Perce Tribe and the Red Pheasant Cree Nation.

She spent her childhood growing up in Kamiah and Lapwai, Idaho. She also spent time in Red Pheasant, Canada with her family there, and in Alaska. Deanne spent a lot of her childhood near her paternal grandmother Eileen Spencer, where she learned to bead and make yarn bags. She loved to do these crafts and share them with others for the rest of her days.

Deanna grew up with many cousins and best friends and she loved to hang out and laugh around with them all. Her laugh was contagious when she got going. While in school she played basketball, volleyball, and softball. She helped Kamiah win some tough victories. She was honored to have played with the Nationettes. Deanne graduated from Kamiah High School in 1990. She later went to Haskell Indian Nations University where she attended with her brother Frank. She met family there and made many friends that she kept close to her heart.

Deanne loved her family, and all the kids in her community. She took care of anyone who needed a hand. She didn’t judge and had a big, kind heart that will be missed by all. She was a strong, protective, and caring woman. You always knew where you stood with her, and she made each person feel special. She gave hugs and talked to you like you were the most important person in her day. You could always find her at the swimming hole, fishing hole, or Mud Springs with a carload of the varmints. She’d have her BBQ going, and she’d be feeding the crew. Deanne loved to feed the people. She could feed an army and could make a feast out of whatever she found in the kitchen. Her home was always open. Deanne lived to watch her children grow, to help the kids in her community, and to lend a hand to those in need.

Deanne was preceded in death by her grandparents, uncle Wendall Davis, brother Franklin Bear, and niece Tyone Bear. She is survived by her husband Albert Penney of Lapwai, father Michael Bear of Lapwai, mother Marci Bailey of Kamiah, sister Katie Bailey of Kamiah, sister Willissa Walker of Kamiah, children- Davis, Sandrine, Fletcher, Michael, Albert Jr, and Marcileen, granddaughter Alora Penney, and many extended family and loved ones.