DeAnna L\'Ecuyer

DeAnna G. (Deardorf) L’Ecuyer July 16, 1939 ~ October 1, 2020   STURBRIDGE, MA - DeAnna G. (Deardorf) L’Ecuyer, 81, of Sturbridge, passed into the loving, peaceful and tender care of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, October 1, 2020 after a valiant, year-long, hard-fought, battle against cancer. DeAnna, or “Dee”, daughter of the late Norman C. and Marlos F. (Beard) Deardorf, began her life’s journey in Bemidji, Minnesota in July 1939.  After Dee’s mother, Marlos, passed away in 1940, Dee’s grandparents, the late Mr. Charles A. and Mrs. Adelaide D. (Broadbent) Beard took DeAnna in to raise her along with her beloved cousin, Donald (Donnie) Samuelson. An unfortunate fire in the Beard family business, the Third Street Cafe, a few years later led to the Beards, DeAnna and cousin Donnie relocating to the Broadbent home in Appleton, Minnesota where they reunited with Dee’s great-grandmother, Evelyn L. Broadbent, and Dee’s beloved cousin Dorothy (Dottie Samuelson) Boerhave. In Appleton, Dee and her family were faithful members of Appleton’s United Methodist Church where they attended services regularly. And, among other things, DeAnna enjoyed singing in the school chorus and playing clarinet in the high school marching band. One of DeAnna’s greatest joys was the fond memories she had of the many lifelong friendships she made in Appleton – many of whom she has been able to keep in contact with through the years. Dee was a “people person” and always loved spending time with her family and friends. After graduating from Appleton High School, Class of 1957, Dee headed to Minneapolis where she landed a job at the Augsburg Publishing House. Soon after she relocated to California where she married her first husband, Donald (Don) Mutton and gave birth to her first and only child, Douglas (Doug) Mutton. While in California, Dee landed a job at the Aerojet Corporation and later worked for Auburn Constructors as they worked on building the Auburn Dam in Auburn, California. DeAnna also attended classes at the American River College in Sacramento as she worked towards bettering herself and becoming a legal secretary. In 1978, after a number of challenging years following her divorce in California, Dee and son, Doug, relocated back to Minnesota where Dee found work as a legal secretary. In 1980, Dee was remarried and relocated to New England where she found work as a legal secretary for a time and, eventually, worked at Colonial Copy and the Southbridge Evening News as a typist/ columnist. Many remember Dee L’Ecuyer for her “Reminiscing Column” which she wrote for “The News” on a regular basis. After leaving “The News”, she also contributed a column, “Common Pleasures”, to the Sturbridge “Town Common” newspaper for a time. She always loved remembering and sharing her story and had hoped to finish writing her book, about her life, one day. DeAnna’s second husband, Donald (Don) L’Ecuyer went to be with the Lord in 2007 and Dee’s son, Doug, found a new responsibility in taking care of his beloved mom. Doug was by his mom’s side when she went to be with the Lord on October 1, 2020. DeAnna leaves her only son, Doug Mutton, who was faithfully by her side for 54 years. She also leaves a step-son, Ronald B. (and MaryAnn) L’Ecuyer of California and three step-daughters, Grace and Gail also of California, Gloria (and Steve) of Nevada and their families. DeAnna also leaves her beloved cousins with whom she was raised, Donald (and Gini) Samuelson of Denton, Texas and Dorothy (Dottie) Boerhave of Fergus Falls, Minnesota and their families. And, an aunt, Charlene Hughes, of Millbury, MA along with several cousins, nieces and nephews-in-law. Her late husband, Donald P. L’Ecuyer, predeceased her in 2007 as did a step-brother, Craig Grothaus, in 2018. As a living “Celebration of Life” was held for DeAnna over the summer, there will be no formal funeral or memorial service for Dee in New England at this time. However, per Dee’s request, family and friends are invited to pay final respects during a special time of visitation (Calling Hours) on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, from 4 to 6 pm, in the Sturbridge Federated Church, Rt. 131 and 8 Maple St. Sturbridge, Massachusetts. We request face masks and that social distancing measures be followed. Graveside services and burial will be in Appleton City Cemetery, Appleton, Minnesota with a date and time to be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sturbridge Federated Church, Diaconate Fund, PO BOX 193, Sturbridge, MA 01566. New England Arrangements by: Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, Southbridge, MA : www.BelangerFuneralHome.com Minnesota Arrangements by: Zniewski Funeral Home, Appleton, MN : www.zniewskifuneralhome.com  <iframe class="ts_player" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/B66PTBZ6XPW5ZG5L" width="512"></iframe>