Roberta D. Ferris

1938 - 2017

Roberta D. (Meyer) Ferris

Redding, CA

1938 - 2017

Deannie (Meyer) Ferris departed this world peacefully March 14, 2017 at Shasta Regional Medical Center, Redding, CA. surrounded by family and friends. She passed with the same quiet charm that she lived her life.

Born in Roseburg, OR in 1938, she was preceded in death by her parents, Roberta and Robert Laughlin, her brother Terry Laughlin and husbands Rich Meyer and Bo Ferris.

Deannie had a life-long interest in the arts. She was a modern dance enthusiast in high school, played the piano, created wonderful line drawings & sculptures, and painted wonderful works in various media. She loved all kinds of brain twisters, especially crossword puzzles. She was well (and widely) read. Her art always had an interesting twist, including trout intertwined with blown up pieces of tires, and fruit from her yard incorporated in mine buckets or ropes, or other sentimental items.

Deannie began her career as a legal secretary in 1961, working for the Trinity County District Attorney. She was a member of the Weaverville Jaycee-ets and was involved in everything from little league baseball, Easter Egg Hunts, Halloween events, and the Big Foot Days Celebration. In 1962, she made an unsuccessful bid for the Trinity County Clerk office. In 1964, her long beautiful legs got her a role with a group of women who performed a can-can dance for the annual Big Foot Days celebration.

In 1965 the family relocated to Redding. Deannie's former boss, Donald Kennedy, along with his partner Lee Lopez, hired her to work in their law firm where she worked for over twenty years. She would later work for Mr. Dugan Barr at his law firm.

Deannie was a Shasta High School Music and Sports Booster. She skillfully balanced family, work and social life throughout the lives of her boys. She kept her dream of being an artist alive, and sowed many seeds along the way. Attending various classes at Shasta College, she studied everything from

Auto Mechanics and Woodworking to Glass Blowing and Sculpture. She challenged herself with anatomy and physiology, and even took painting classes. Finally, the staff at Shasta College told her they had nothing left to offer her and she should move on.

In 1994, she commuted weekly from Redding to Oakland to achieve her dream of obtaining a degree in art. The California College of the Arts 'stretched' her in ways she could not have imagined. She was introduced to people and techniques she had only dreamed of. She graduated from the California College of Arts in 1996 having achieved a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (with Distinction). She said to have graduated from the California College of the Arts was second only to successfully sending her boys into the world.

April 1, 1999, Rich Meyer passed away after a 41 year marriage. A conspiracy of their respective children brought Mr. Bo Ferris (USAF retired) and Deannie together. Married February 2001, Bo and Deannie traveled and lived life as large as anybody could. They bought a motorhome and wore its wheels off. Bo passed in June 2009.

Bo's passing was a profound event, yet she remained a strong independent woman. Surviving an incredibly impossible heart surgery in May 2010, she recovered and continued with her Art work, participating in many local and national shows. She even had the honor of displaying a piece in the distinguished De Young Museum in San Francisco, CA. Deannie taught many art classes and has been a force in many local artists' development. She continued to teach until her health became too much an issue for her to perform to her high standard.

She is survived by sons, Daniel, Kirk (Laura), Robert (Brenda), and her grandchildren Sibylla; Audra and Ashlie; and Sarah, Carlie and James; also four great-grand sons, one great-grand daughter, and one - pending arrival.

A memorial service will be held at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery Chapel on April 7, 2017 at 9:30 AM followed by a luncheon and display of her art at the First United Methodist Church in Redding at 12:00 PM.

Donations in memory of Deannie Meyer, Artist, may be made to the Shasta County Arts Council, Old City Hall, 1313 Market St., Redding, CA 96001 or to the First United Methodist Church, Arts Council, 1825 East St., Redding, CA 96001.

Please sign the guest book at

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/redding/