SIPAYIK – Dr. Deanna Mae Francis, 62, died peacefully Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, at her home, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Daughter of the late Frederick J. Francis Sr. and Ada Bailey Francis, Deanna was born Feb. 24, 1948, at Sipayik. Deanna was the first member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe to obtain a medical degree. She graduated in 1998 from the University of New England’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. Deanna dedicated her life to medicine and ensuring that everyone around her would never go without. She was a respected member of the Onadoga Okwea Society. She was a fierce defender of her culture, language and Passamaquoddy values. As a fluent speaker of Passamaquoddy, her traditional knowledge was an ocean. Deanna was concerned about Sipayik’s language loss and worked daily to immerse those around her in its beauty and blessed sounds. She raised and help grow many Native children who needed love and basic care. Though her time with us was all too brief, her impact is immeasurable. We now live in a different place without Deanna in this world, because loss is greatest whenever a people loses one of its clan mothers. Deanna was predeceased by her brothers, Frederick, Clyde Guysis and James. She is survived by her sister, Beverly Francis of Sipayik; nephews and nieces, Frederick J. Francis III and Keaira Komiwon Francis of Sipayik, Amy Marie Francis of Sipayik, Ann Sopiel and Cody Sopiel of Indian Township, Juanita Money Day of Indian Township, Andre Paul and Justice Bassett of Sipayik, Joshua Francis and his companion, Trisha Condelmo, of Sipayik, Alliya Francis and Joel Francis of Sipayik; lifelong friends and relatives from all walks of life whom Deanna referred to as her brothers and sisters, Lulu Dana Homan of Sipayik, Cyril Francis of Sipayik, Vera Francis of Sipayik and Shirley Mitchell of Sipayik; her most cherished friend and soul mate, Diane Enos of Scotsdale, Ariz., and sons, Victor and Xavier; extended family members, Audrey Shenandoah, Jeannie, Ron, Adah, Shelly, Keith, Tracy, Bub and Sonny of Onadoga, N.Y., Verna and Wenji Shanandoah of Onadoga, N.Y., Betty Lewey of Sipayik and Marilyn Bedard of Sipayik; and godchildren, Karen Paul and Donald Francis. A funeral service was held Nov. 1 at St. Anne’s Church, Sipayik. Burial was afterward at St. Anne’s cemetery. Eulogy given by Darrell Nicholas, Andrea Bear Nicholas of Tobique, New Brunswick, and Diane Enos of Scottsdale, Ariz. Pallbearers were Denise Altvater, Holly Altvater, George Neptune, Sylvia Sockabasin, McGinley Jones and Alice Tomah. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to the Passamaquoddy Peaceful Relations Program, which serves tribal victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, contact Nancy Soctomah, and/or Girl Scouts of Maine troop No. 415, contact Lynn Bailey.
DR. DEANNA MAE FRANCIS
