Deana Renee Jespersen

In Loving Memory of Deana Renee Jespersen (Maguire)

Born March 4, 1974, at Delaware County Hospital in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, Deana Renee Jespersen (Maguire) was the cherished daughter of Robert J. Maguire and Cecelia R. Maguire (DeFlorentiis). She carried with her a warm smile, a fierce competitive drive, and a compassionate heart throughout her life.

Deana graduated from Ridley High School in 1992 and went on to attend Elizabethtown College, graduating in 1996 with a B.A. in Psychology. During her time at Elizabethtown, she was a four-year starter for the women's volleyball team, served as team captain, earned Most Valuable Player honors three times, and was selected All-Middle Atlantic Conference as a senior.

She later earned her Master's Degree in Counseling and School Psychology from Immaculata University, bringing not only skill but heart to her work as a school psychologist in the Springfield School District.

Her love for volleyball, mentorship, and leadership led her to a celebrated coaching career. Deana served as Head Volleyball Coach at Neumann University until 2014, where she led the team to three CSAC championships (2007, 2008, 2012) and was honored as CSAC Coach of the Year five times, also guiding her teams to three runner-up finishes.

In 2014, she became the Head Women's Volleyball Coach at Rowan University, where her impact was immediate and lasting. Over more than a decade, she built a program defined by excellence, integrity, and care for her athletes. Under her leadership, the Rowan Profs captured two consecutive NJAC championships (2021, 2022), and she was named NJAC Coach of the Year four times, including in 2018 and 2021. Her achievements culminated in being named AVCA Region 4 Coach of the Year in 2021.

Deana was a proud member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and, in 2024, was inducted into the Ridley Old Timers Hall of Fame-a fitting tribute to her lifelong dedication to athletics and mentorship.

Through every role she held, Deana believed that coaching was about more than wins and titles; it was about empowering young women to believe in themselves and fostering a family that would always support one another.

Deana is survived by her devoted husband, Orlin J. Jespersen; their children, Dane and Bryn; her parents, Robert and Cecelia Maguire; her sister Kristen Schaffer, husband Marc, and their children Logan and Rylie; sister-in-law Daini Lee, husband Tim, and children Aubrey Hertel and Soren Hertel; her in-laws Gary and Suzanne Jespersen; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, players, and friends who knew her support, kindness, and laughter.

While Deana accomplished so much in her professional life, the role she loved most was being a mom. She found her greatest joy in watching Dane play lacrosse and Bryn play volleyball, cheering them on with pride from the sidelines. She loved movie nights and competitive family game nights, cousins' gatherings, and baking at home-famous among family and friends for her chocolate chip cookies, a cherished family favorite. Those everyday moments were the heart of who she was: joyful, generous, and fully present with the people she loved most.

Deana was selfless and deeply connected to those around her, always striving to lift others up. Deana mentored countless female student-athletes, helping them grow in confidence and purpose both on and off the court. She was also an active member of a women's coaching group, where she and other "mom-coaches" shared the challenges of balancing family, coaching, and life - a community that became a source of mutual strength and encouragement.

Even during her own cancer journey, Deana continued to give of herself. She formed connections with others undergoing treatment, offering support and courage through each step of the journey. Through her own journey, she understood the challenges of cancer and offered support so others would never feel alone.

In her memory, we remember her as a fighter, mentor, friend, coach, daughter, sister, and mother. She leaves behind a legacy marked by passion, empathy, and purpose, one that will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Visitation 5-7 PM Sunday, November 16, 2025 and 9 to 10:30 AM Monday, November 17, 2025 at Notre Dame de Lourdes R.C. Church, 990 Fairview Rd., Swarthmore, PA 19081 where a Funeral Mass will begin at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Hope Venture, a fund Deana started with the HEADstrong Foundation to provide support to individuals and families battling breast cancer. Donations may be made at: https://pledge.headstrong.org/campaign/the-hope-venture/c612145 or check mailed to:

HEADstrong Foundation
The Hope Venture Fund
1330 MacDade Blvd #2
Woodlyn, PA 19094

We invite all whose lives were touched by Deana to join together in celebrating her life - her joy, her spirit, and the countless ways she made a difference.

May we honor her memory by living with the same courage, leadership, and love that she showed every day.

- The Jespersen, Maguire, and Schaffer Families