Deanna Marie (Jensen) Lamping

Deanna Marie Lamping (Jensen) passed away on April 21st at her home with her two sons, Robert and Gary by her side. Deanna was born July 22nd, 1940 in Sprague, Washington to Julian James Jensen and Vivian Edna Jensen (Isdell). She grew up in Kelso, Washington and graduated from Kelso High School in 1958. She enrolled at Bernard’s Beauty School in Longview and received her Beauty Operator’s license in 1959. Soon after completing her course, she moved to Seattle to be closer to her mom and worked as a Beautician at The Bon Marche and various other beauty parlors. She loved Seattle, living in the U-District and Capitol Hill with the hustle and bustle, there was always something to do or explore. She married John Lamping in 1962. They moved to Longview, Washington where both of their sons, Robert & Gary, were born. A few years later, she moved back to Seattle, where she remained for all her years, except for a year and a half in Kentucky.

After her children were raised, she started her business, Deanna’s Traveling Hair Parlor, and helped many housebound people at their homes. This led to her caretaking for five people in need of assistance. She also worked at multiple nursing homes as a Beautician. She really loved working and helping our older generation and listening to their life stories. From Deanna’s notes: “I never made a lot of money, but I enjoyed what I did, and I made a lot of people happy. I at least could pay my bills so I can’t complain.” 

Deanna was very engaged and loving to her children, and when her grandchildren came along, she was Super Grandma. She would take them on outings to the zoo, park, downtown, library, Seattle Center, etc., or just played at the house. Dress up was one of their favorites as she had lots of costumes and clothes. She helped raise her grandsons, Mateo & Anthony. She would stay with them a couple days a week before they started elementary school, and provided them with lots of opportunities for adventure. As they got older, she was their biggest fan. She loved going to their baseball and basketball games, and was very proud that they both graduated from college.

In her spare time, Deanna enjoyed solitary hobbies like gardening, crocheting, and home decorating. Knowing her, however, during those activities, she was more than likely thinking about who to call, where to go, and who she would talk to next. She was a self-described “social butterfly”, and really enjoyed having lunch or tea with friends. Deanna also loved going to the West Seattle Senior Center where she enjoyed socializing, going on day trips they organized, and participating in multiple Bible Studies where she was known to be quite the debater. She loved to learn, and had a remarkable memory.

Towards the end of her life, Deanna struggled with her health for months. She was diagnosed with stage 4 metastasis cancer of unknown primary origin, two weeks before her death. She never shed a tear. Her mantra was, “I have had a good life, and I know where I’m going”.

To all her family and friends: know that she wanted to talk to you on the phone or have you come by in person, but was just too weak. One of her greatest gifts, the gift of caring and sharing with others had been all but taken away from her. Know that she was loving and sweet all the way to the end, still had an interest in learning new things, and even managed to maintain her strong sense of humor.

Deanna leaves her sons, Robert (Enna) & Gary (Emie), her grandchildren, Danielle, Mateo, Anthony, & Karl, her sister, Judy Metcalf, her brothers, Joe Jensen, Norman Jensen, & Steve Jensen, and many nephews, nieces, cousins & friends, all whom she loved very much, to cherish her loving memory.

Her sister, Shirley Nordskog, brothers, Jim Jensen & Julian Jensen, all whom she loved very much, left this earthly plane before her.

Deanna’s son, Robert, would like to personally thank her friends and family for giving time and love back to Deanna, as that is what she was all about. She had so much love to give.

 She was laid to rest next to her mother, Vivian Edna Jensen (Isdell), at Lake View Cemetery on April 29, 2019. No additional services are planned.

Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle. 

To share your fond memories of Deanna with her family & friends, please visit her Tribute Wall, above. 

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free,
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard his call,
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I've found that peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My Life's been full, I savoured much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch,

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.

-Author Unknown-

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