DeeAnn is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 36 years Stephan Athan, their three daughters Dr. Alexandra and husband Dr. Daniel Resch (children Grace, Lilianna, and one on the way), Alyssa and husband Nick DeMaster, and Taylor and Dr. Chad Fitzgerald (and son Owen). DeeAnn’s world revolved around her Christian faith and her family, especially as Nana to her four grandchildren. She was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, nana, friend, and confidant. She was born in Tampa to Danny and Helen Delgado and grew up in south Tampa with many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.
DeeAnn graduated from H. B. Plant High School in 1972 and then the University of South Florida with a teaching degree. She taught at Young Junior High School and was determined to go to law school. She graduated from New York Law School in Manhattan with a law degree in 1983. After law school she went to work for the State Attorney in Tampa. She was a partner in the law firm Diaz, Athan, and Dee and then pursued her passion with the office of the Public Defender in Tampa. She became a passionate and dedicated criminal defense attorney and took it to a new level while at the law office of Rick Escobar and Associates. DeeAnn was known throughout the legal community for her tireless and passionate advocacy for her clients, her keen intellect, her laser focused attention to detail, and her unwavering command of the rule of law. She was highly admired and respected by many in the legal and law enforcement communities including judges, attorneys, police, sheriffs, and state troopers. She successfully tried some of the most controversial and compelling cases in the state including a horrendous murder case that rocked the nation and was aired on “American Justice: Daughter Dearest”. She was a fearless and tenacious advocate, no matter one’s status in life. She was admitted to the Florida Bar, a member of the Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, mentor to many young attorneys, and often asked to speak at legal and academic events. She surrounded herself by some of the most dedicated and passionate judges and attorneys on both sides of the aisle. She traveled throughout Florida and the south to meet with clients at their homes or incarcerated, with witnesses, experts, attorneys, and to visit crime scenes. She was inspired by the fight for justice and leveraged strength in a classic song from Don Quixote, Man of La Mancha, “The Impossible Dream”.
DeeAnn was a devout Catholic and dedicated parishioner at Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa. She was a true romantic and loved classical music, rock and roll, classic film, classic cars, art, ballet, cooking, traveling (Spain, Portugal, Greece, Crete, Italy, Capri, France, Mexico), history, poetry, and sports. She and her husband would fly in a Cessna 172 to watch space shuttle launches from the air at Cape Kennedy and flew aerobatics in a Super Decathlon aerobatic plane.
A funeral mass for DeeAnn will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at 10:00 am at Christ the King Catholic Church on Dale Mabry in Tampa. There will be a closed-casket visitation in the narthex as well as a rosary in the chapel beginning at 9:00. The mass will be live streamed on the Christ the King website for those unable to attend. She will be laid to rest at Garden of Memories cemetery next to her parents, Helen and Daniel, following the mass.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.3