Deanna Lee O’Brian, age 74, passed from this life on August 12, 2026 in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Her faith has now become sight.

Deanna was born July 12, 1952 in Brookfield, Missouri, the first child of Donald Phillip O’Brian and Waneta Louise (Lee) O’Brian. The family moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1959, where they remained.

Deanna is a 1970 graduate of Leavenworth High School and a 1974 Cum Laude graduate of Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education with a double major in Spanish and Business. Afterward, she found success as a legal secretary with a law firm specializing in real estate transactions. Moving back to the Kansas City area in 1976, she found her niche in Mortgage Banking. Deanna was the first female loan originator in Kansas City in 1978 and was president of the Kansas City Mortgage Bankers Association in 2006. After 43 years of helping customers with their home financing, Deanna retired in 2019.

In 1984 she was blessed with a daughter, Jennifer, and in 1991 they moved to Prairie Village, Kansas, from Oolagah, Oklahoma. Even though she was involved with a number of organizations, she most enjoyed being with her daughter Jennifer, participating in her childhood activities, and watching her grow. Deanna loved her fiercely and unconditionally.

Deanna enjoyed all kinds of music. After a seeing a Peter, Paul and Mary concert in high school, her parents bought her a 12 sting guitar, and she played and sang for years. She sang in chorus, was vocalist for a dance band, a member of an a cappella gospel quartet, and in later years switched to an upright bass and sang in a bluegrass band for 10 years. During her time in the band, she was honored by receiving the female vocalist of the year in the bluegrass circuit.

Some of her hobbies included sewing and genealogy. She was an accomplished seamstress. Her passion was sewing pillows and quilts which she lovingly gifted to friends and family. Deanna started a genealogy project in the 1980’s on her father’s side of the family. She loved learning about family history and created a family tree complete with photos.

She loved being part of the LHS Class Reunion Committee and enjoyed time with her classmates. She was very active in her church and loved spending time with her Life Group friends. She also looked forward to summer vacations and family reunions in Ethel, Missouri.

Deanna was intelligent, thoughtful, and kind. She carried herself with elegance and class, and her wit and sense of humor could light up any room. She was exceptionally organized and intentional in everything she did, yet always remained humble, with a servant’s heart that made everyone feel welcome. She was honorable, and her strong faith showed in all she did. She will be sorely missed.

Deanna was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Waneta O’Brian. Deanna is survived by daughter Jennifer, her husband, Terry, and granddaughter, Emma Eubanks; Brother David and his wife Kelly O’Brian of Allen, Texas; Sister Donna and her husband John Holmes of Edmond, Oklahoma; Niece Monica, her husband Blake and great nephew, Greyson Yort of Edmond, Oklahoma; plus several beloved cousins.

Visitation will be held at Davis Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. Funeral Service will be held at Davis Funeral Chapel on Thursday, August 20,2026 at 11 A.M. Burial will follow at Mount Muncie Cemetery.