Deanna Battaglia

Diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, Deanna Lee Douglas Battaglia never gave up her courageous fight. She never complained, maintaining a brave and cheerful outlook of an optimistic future – even through countless radiation and chemotherapy treatments, surgeries, X-rays, hospitalizations and pain. Through this ordeal she continued to be a lovely wife and nurturing mother raising her son, Connor. She was a wonderful mother immersed in Connor’s life, through his daily needs and activities. He has matured into a young man that Deanna wanted him to be. She is very proud of him. She was married to Anthony for 10 wonderful years. She was a loving and understanding wife. She always put her family first. Deanna was a “SUPER MOM”.

Deanna died at home surrounded by her family on Sunday morning Dec. 18. She died of Breast Cancer.

Deanna, known to her friends and family as Dee, was born February 1, 1977, and grew up in Largo, Florida. She attended Clearwater Central Catholic High School, before going to Florida State University then transferring to Florida Southern College where she graduated.

Filled with compassion and interest in others, Deanna made friends easily and maintained contact with many over the years. Her life will be remembered in all she gave to us, how she changed our lives, how she made us laugh and how insightful she was about life.

In Deanna’s Short Journey of Life, the people who she touched knew how special she was. Deanna was graceful and kind.

Her strength was admirable considering how sick she became. At the end she was so peaceful and calm. Our hearts are full of sadness and we will miss her. Every time you hear her favorite song by Jimmy Buffet, “My Brown Eyed Girl”, you will get a little smile on your face and for a moment you will think of how happy Deanna was as a person.

WE ALL LOVED DEANNA. WE ARE ALL VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD DEANNA IN OUR LIVES.

During her years in treatment at the Moffitt Cancer Center, Deanna was truly an energy force that everyone needed because so many were just beginning to face their disease. Deanna helped many in their fight by telling them to focus on the positive things in their lives. Her upbeat attitude was contagious. Her smile lit up the Chemo Room. People would change their schedules just to be with Deanna on the days she had chemo. The Doctors and Nurses were amazed by Deanna’s outlook, her courage and often said to their patients, ‘’Have you met Deanna yet? You need too”.

She was an active volunteer at St. Jerome’s Pre-School and Oakhurst Elementary. She was loved by the students and teachers she worked with at the schools.

Her most famous volunteer work was her walk down the RUNWAY as a Model for the Moffitt Cancer Center Fashion Show for Breast Cancer Awareness. She wanted people to be aware of early testing. She had the opportunity to work with Internationally known Fashion Designers and Models from around the world. The fun part of the show was the Designers had to create new outfit designs for all of the Breast Cancer Volunteers to wear down the runway. In addition, the show raised thousands of dollars for Breast Cancer and was covered by local and international TV stations and of course the Press. The Show heightened the awareness of Breast Cancer for our community and for the communities around the world. Her Designer was awarded “Best Design” of the Show thanks to Deanna’s natural RUNWAY walk and of course she had “ATTIUDE”. She looked absolutely beautiful. Her Family and Friends were so proud of her that night.

Before her illness, Deanna loved Life. Her favorite kind of day would be to cuddle up in bed on a nice rainy day and watch TV. She loved taking Connor on outings and stopping at their favorite Thai Restaurant afterwards. She also enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, boating, swimming, and of course shopping with her BFF Belinda.

She loved for her husband and son to get in bed with her and watch all the different Discovery Channel Programs, especially Shark Week. As she was confined to bed, she loved watching her Soap Operas, and thanks to DVR, her favorite TV episodes without commercials.

Deanna is survived by her husband, Anthony and her son, Connor. She is also survived by her mother, Mary Douglas, her sisters Chris Wilkins, Marianne Becker, Tammy Mereckis and brother, John Douglas, and several fond nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Suncoast Hospice, 5571 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, Florida 33760 or online at TheHospiceFoundation.org, The Moffitt Cancer Center, 1290 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Fl 33612 or online at Moffitt.org, or Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation, 3282 Northside Pkwy N.W. Suite 100, Atlanta, Ga 30327 or online at jajf.org. This would be an appropriate and appreciated way to celebrate Deanna’s love of always helping others. Deanna’s life will be celebrated with a Chapel Service 2:00pm Wednesday at Moss Feaster Funeral Home at 13401 Indian Rocks Rd, Largo, Florida, 33774, Phone (727) 562 -2052. Friends and Family may call one hour prior from 1-2pm Wednesday. Burial will be immediately following at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park.