Marsha Jean Henry Deane, age 72 of Oviedo, FL, went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 29, 2025 after a 4.5-year battle with lung cancer.
Marsha was born to Harvey and Gloria Henry on June 16,1952 in Ames, IA and was raised in a family that valued kindness, community, and creativity. She spent her childhood and early adulthood in the Midwest before moving to Charlotte in the late 1970’s, marrying Tenney Deane Jr. in 1981. They began their family and moved to Quincy, FL in 1996, where they lived for almost 15 years.
After Tenney passed in 2008, a neighbor reconnected Marsha with Jack Mahaffey. They developed a special bond over the common grief of losing a spouse. Jack and Marsha were together for almost 10 years before marrying in 2019.
Marsha had a deep love for life and found joy in a variety of passions. She had a green thumb, with a special fondness for gardening and roses. She developed a love for Model Ts through Jack and continued to participate in Model T events with her 1926 pick-up after his death. She was an active participant in church activities including singing in the choir, ladies’ bible study, volunteering at the church food pantry and giving back to the community. After her bout with breast cancer, she became known for her collection of hats. She wore one daily and was rarely seen leaving the house without one. After the birth of her first granddaughter, she renewed her love of sewing and embroidery. She made many custom outfits for her granddaughters, as well as personalized items for the children of close friends in Tallahassee and the Oviedo area.
Her family and friends will always remember her warmth, generosity, and the joy she brought to those around her.
Marsha was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Gloria; brothers, Martin and Darrell Henry; sister, Denise Morton; and her beloved husbands, Tenney Deane Jr. and Jack Mahaffey. She is survived by her children, son Henry Deane of Tallahassee, FL and daughter Lydia Deane Robinson (husband Bryan and daughters Hannah and Amelia) of Savannah, GA.
A visitation will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 1:00 PM, followed by a Celebration of Life and Witness to the Resurrection at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, Quincy, FL. A second service will take place on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 3:30pm at Geneva Methodist Church, Geneva, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Mayo Clinic, Geneva Methodist Church, Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee, or the local Hospice group of your choosing in Marsha’s memory.
Charles McClellan Funeral Home, 15 S. Jackson St., Quincy, FL., 850-627-7677
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