Minnie Dean Lindsey, affectionately known as “Deanie” through most of her 92 years, died peacefully at home in Littleton, Colorado on the night of 12 February 2021. She was found there the next morning by her frequent traveling companion, daily attendant and caregiver, her beloved daughter Leesa L. Roberts. Deanie had been in good health and condition; age notwithstanding, imminent death was totally unexpected. As confirmed by first-responders and coroner observations, she appeared to have died instantly, of natural cause and with no evidence of struggle or distress.
Deanie was also known as “Mom” and “Grammy” by her other survivors: son Lawrence L. and wife Valerie Faust Lindsey at Ackors’ Corner in NJ, grandsons Shane Mason Roberts and wife Jaclyn Fenske with great grandsons Murdoch and Von Roberts in Fort Collins CO, and James Richard Roberts with wife Marcy Gonzalez and great granddaughter Margo Roberts in Wheat Ridge CO.
Deanie was born on 12 October 1928 in Dickson, Tennessee, the only child of Eva Pearl Downey and Lawrence Lafayette Bennett. After happy childhood years in Dickson, in 1935 her family moved to Gleason, Tennessee where Pearl was a high school teacher and librarian, Lawrence the railway station manager and freight agent. In Gleason Deanie met her best friend James E. Lindsey, with whom she married in 1948. Deanie and James moved to Houston in 1952, to Cincinnati in 1958, and to Kansas City in 1963, all cities in which Deanie served as a teacher in the public school systems. James made a career change relocating the family to Neenah, Wisconsin in 1965. Another opportunity drew them to Saginaw, Michigan in 1977. In Neenah and Saginaw, Deanie was an active supporter of music, arts, public education, and civic engagement. Following retirement in 1980, James and Deanie moved “back home” to Springville, Tennessee, in part to be near and provide care for her aging mother Pearl. From their home base known as “The Landing,” Deanie and James travelled together, sometimes with family, worldwide; assisted local businesses and fellow citizens in need; participated in and supported church and civic causes; joined with Vixen RV enthusiasts touring all around the country. Their Landing hosted many warm vacation and holiday gatherings with family and dear friends.
Following James’ death on 5 February 2006, Deanie relocated to Littleton to be near, and participate more fully in the lives of, her daughter’s and grandsons’ families. She forged close relationships with new neighbors and friends, was an active member and supporter of her church congregation, and enhanced longstanding cultural interests, particularly relishing and supporting the Littleton Symphony and Denver Symphony Orchestra. She shared her home and her City’s attractions with many family members, friends and other visitors as her honored guests. For more than a decade Deanie made annual treks with a special group of friends to Santa Fe Indian Market, and revived her penchant for world travel on several extended journeys with her daughter and son.
In early adulthood, advancing education and career were particularly important to Deanie. She attended Peabody School of Music at Vanderbilt University for two years in Nashville, then transferred and graduated with James from Bethel College in McKenzie. She followed in her mother’s footsteps to become a seriously engaged professional educator. Her career included teaching under challenging conditions and in some tough school neighborhoods. Deanie balanced her work with responsible mothering, consistently contributing to financial and emotional stability in the growth of her family. She was also an accomplished pianist, dressmaker, knitter, and expert in several kinds of needlework.
Deanie weathered many trials and difficulties, including severe injuries from falls requiring long and arduous rehabilitations. In later years she also struggled with diminishing eyesight and hearing. She always pressed on through pain and frustration, accepting and embracing every possible advantage and assistance in adversity. She repeatedly responded with determined progress that “beat the odds,” and often amazed her advisors and caregivers. Deanie earned a reputation for persistence, resilience and fast recovery; a model for all who have known of her challenges.
Minnie Dean Lindsey has lived a very long time, known many people and places, made many great experiences and accomplishments. She lived her life her way. She was aware of her weaknesses and limitations. She also knew the advantages and good fortune with which she was consistently and repeatedly blessed. Deanie was thankful to all of us around her, for all who challenged and assisted her, and to God. Together with her husband James she built a legacy of ambition and opportunity for her family, and contributed to many others. We celebrate her life. We are permanently grateful.
A memorial service and celebration will be scheduled in Gleason at some later time.
Family and friends tempted to send flowers are encouraged instead to please donate,
in Deanie's memory, to : littletonsymphony.org + coloradosymphony.org .
photo credit (with thanks to) David Groat
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