Obituaries for the week of 5/16/17

Deanna Mae (Daughtery) Sella

Deanna Mae (Daughtery) Sella passed into eternal life Feb. 28, 2017, with her daughter and Christ by her side. She was 78. Mom was born July 17, 1938 in Phoenix, Arizona, to Paul Marcus Daughtery and Kathleen Verdona (Shaver) Miller. She came from humble roots and maintained that humility throughout her lifetime.

Mom was fortunate to have a very loving grandmother in her life. Nanny took care of her and raised her the first several years after she was born. She instilled in her the importance of integrity, persistence and resilience.

Nanny loved Mom as if she was her own child and Mom cherished her upbringing with Nanny. She would often refer to this as the happiest time in her life.

Mom was in sixth grade when her mother and stepfather decided to move to Susanville where her stepfather took a job with Western Auto. It is never easy being the new student in school, let alone a girl waiting to be chosen for a baseball team during physical education. On that auspicious day, Mom was the last chosen, but that would soon change. At her first up at bat, she hit the ball so hard it glided over the fence and landed in the parking lot across the street from the ball field. She would often smile when she would recall the gaping mouths of her classmates as they watched her home run sail out of the ballpark.

At the age of 14, Mom found herself searching for personal fulfillment. She discovered Catholicism and it was life altering. Mom found solace in the beauty of the Latin Mass, the holiness of the nuns, the silent meditation of the people and the harmony of the traditional music. She credits Catholicism for helping her find meaning and purpose in life. Mom would remain true to her faith throughout her lifetime.

After graduating from Lassen High School in 1956, Mom moved to Sacramento where she attended Heald Business College. She graduated with a stenographer diploma and began working for Motors Insurance Company. A year later, she was convinced to return to Heald to work as a secretary for the engineering college. Mom continued to take courses for professional development and personal interest at Sacramento City College, Lassen Community College and Truckee Meadows Community College.

Mom worked at Heald Business College until 1962 when she returned to Susanville to marry our father, Aldo Sella, Sr., and start a family. During these early years, she worked for the Lassen County Auditor and Recorders Office, Lassen County Superintendent of Schools and Lassen County Veterans Services. However, many know her as the face of Lassen Sights and Sounds that later became Radio Shack. She had a strong passion for music, photography, electronics and supporting the budding music students who would come in to buy reeds and other supplies for their instruments. Mom loved serving the Susanville community in this capacity.

In 1989, Mom made a significant life change and took a position as a shipment clerk with Sierra Army Depot. She worked for the Depot until 2002 when she made a lateral transfer to the Veterans Administration Regional Office in Reno, Nevada. Mom had tremendous respect for veterans and their service to our country. She loved hearing their stories and often wished the VA could do more to provide for them. Mom retired from the VA in 2009.

Mom was an incredible photographer and well known for capturing her children’s achievements. She served many roles in her lifetime, but none was as important to her as being a mother. It gave her great pleasure to serve as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout mom, Brownie and Girl Scout mom, Music Booster mom, football mom, horseshow mom, and most importantly, humble friend and confidant.

Deanna was preceded in death by her birth father, Paul Daughtery (1968); mother, Kathleen (Shaver) Miller (1994); and grandson, Daric Sella (2016).

Deanna is survived by her loving daughter, Gina Sella, of Reno, Nevada; son, Tino Sella, of Susanville, and his daughter Jordan; and son, Aldo Jr. (Lisa), of Rancho Cordova and their daughter Kaitlin.

A funeral mass will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 26 at St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, 14075 Mt. Vida Street, Reno, NV 89506. A reception, hosted by the Martha’s and Mary’s, will follow.

Forrest Jerrold Morais

Forrest Jerrold Morais was born Oct. 12, 1939 and passed away March 9, 2017 at the age of 77. Forrest was born and raised in Sacramento but made Lassen County his home in the later years of his life. He always said that he loved this area most, even though he lived a long and full life in many different communities throughout his years.

Forrest was a loving father, husband and grandfather, a long-time member of the community and he will be greatly missed. His Celebration of Life/Service will be held at Walton’s Colonial Mortuary at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 27.

Emily Barbara Dean

Emily Barbara Dean, 93, of Chester, quietly joined her husband and family in heaven on April 25, 2017.

Born on Sept. 15, 1923 in Woodland, California to German immigrants Gottlob and Alvina Plocher. Emily was raised in ranch life. Her responsibilities included cleaning the barn and milking the cows. Her father often referred to her as his strong one. Emily graduated high school and often spoke of her time in band playing the tuba. She chose to participate in band so that she could attend all of the football games. As a young woman she worked as a welder on Mare Island for the war effort. Emily married Clifton R. Dean, of the Seneca Dean boys.

During their early years of marriage, Clifton served in the U.S. Navy in both WWII and the Korean War. Together they had Clifton A. Dean, of Chester. Both Emily and Clifton were later civilian employees at the Tooele Army Depot from which they both retired.

Emily loved working in her yard, gathering stones and traveling. Her most memorable trip was to Hawaii, where she enjoyed all of the beautiful greenery and fresh fruit. She also enjoyed baking and won several awards. Emily had a strong work ethic and it showed in all she did. She was straightforward, generous and honest. She was a blessing to her grandchildren and nephew.

Emily is survived by her younger sister, Ida Plocher; her son, Clifton A. Dean; three granddaughters (the Dean girls), Jody, Marie and Linda; and nine great grandchildren, Hayley, Chancellor, Lily, Ema, Shane, Makayla, Siena, Jonathan and Abigail.

Emily loved well and was well loved. Although she will be greatly missed, her family will rejoice knowing she is with her heavenly father.

A celebration of Emily’s life is planned from noon to 3 p.m. May 20 at the Highlands Ranch Resort, 41515 State Highway 36, East Mill Creek, CA 96061.

The family has requested that in lieu of gifts or flowers, please make a donation to Sierra Hospice c/o Fehrman Mortuary and Crematory, P.O. Box 53, Quincy, CA 95971.

An opportunity to express your condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com.