Deanna Lee Davis

We are saddened to share that Deanna Lee Davis passed away peacefully at her home, among loved ones on June 19, 2026.

Deanna was born in Crescent City, California, in 1940, to Leonard Charles DeMartin, who was from Crescent City, and Dorothy Ann Dougall DeMartin, who was from San Francisco and spent summers outside of Crescent City. As a child, Deanna enjoyed time at the family home with relatives on the Smith River, near Crescent City, and she adored the family Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, who were often by her side.

Deanna moved to Marin County when she was eleven years old and later attended Dominican High School, where she created lifelong friendships. She loved Marin County, including trips to Stinson Beach as a teenager, and she attended many Dominican reunions.

Following her graduation from Dominican High School in 1958, Deanna attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, beginning a lifelong connection to Colorado. Deanna married Duane Alan Howard in 1962, and together they raised two children, Greg and Kathleen, in Littleton, Colorado.

Deanna was a devoted, enthusiastic and supportive mother who happily and endlessly dedicated her time and energy to her children’s education, activities and well-being. Deanna was proud of her children and never missed an opportunity to show it. She took real joy in their lives and accomplishments, sharing her pride with everyone.

Beginning in 1980, Deanna built a successful career as a real estate broker in the south Denver suburbs, working at both Crown and RE/MAX. Deanna developed strong personal bonds with her real estate colleagues that lasted long after her retirement. She was a committed and creative representative for her clients, and she took pride in the personal connections she formed with them, especially engineers, which amused her given that she married two engineers in her lifetime.

Deanna married Larry Davis in 1996, and Larry was her beloved partner and companion until her death. Together they built a beautiful home in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and they rejoiced in their shared daily lives in their home with wonderful neighbors surrounding them.

Deanna and Larry regularly traveled to see their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and to see Deanna’s mother before her death, her brother, James DeMartin, and the friends they made throughout the years, but Deanna often said that she preferred “nesting” to travel. Deanna also took pleasure in decorating and maintaining the East Vail cabin she had owned since 1966. She found peace in the scenery and Gore Creek, and she loved spending time there with Larry.

Deanna’s deepest passion, aside from Larry and her family, was gardening. She made visiting gardens in other cities a priority when she traveled. She also cherished being part of the Littleton Garden Club and found great joy in the friendships, activities, and social connection that it provided. Visiting members’ gardens, sharing plants and cuttings, and spending time with fellow members meant so much to her. She was rightly very proud of the garden she and Larry created, and she put in many hours working on it.

Deanna had a quick and easy wit and her sense of humor remained with her until the end. She also was refreshingly earnest and direct, and she sought the same from others. Her warmth and wit were unmistakable, and she was well-loved by those who came into contact with her. She was a loving and supportive grandmother and her grandchildren adored her.

Deanna is survived by her beloved husband, Larry Davis; her son, Greg Howard, and his wife, Lynda; her daughter, Kathleen Goodhart, and her husband, John; her granddaughters, Rebecca Howard and her wife, Ericka, Kristin Tolchin and her husband, Jack, and Camille, Caroline, and Mariel Goodhart; and her grandson, Jeff Howard. She is also survived by her stepdaughter, Carol Howfield, and her husband, Gary; her step-granddaughters, Kayla Howfield and Whitney Green and her husband, Patrick; and her step-great-grandchildren, Elise and Everett. She also is survived by her beloved brother, James DeMartin.

We will remember Deanna for her kindness, positive encouragement, sense of humor, love of beauty, and the deep devotion she had for her family and friends. She will be missed more than words can say.

A celebration of Deanna’s life will be scheduled and announced this summer.