DeAnn Graves

On Friday night, July 18, 2025 DeAnn Graves took her first tentative steps through the veil and into eternity. She was attended by friends and family who, though happy for the promotion of her spirit, were devastated at her departure.

DeAnn was born in Salt Lake City, UT May 23, 1951 in LDS Hospital. Five days later her parents, Floyd and Velma Graves, joyfully adopted DeAnn. She was raised an only child and in her own words, “felt truly loved throughout [her] life.”

Splitting her years between Springville, UT and Palm Springs, CA, DeAnn loved spending time with family and friends. Forever a lover of dogs, DeAnn was never without a canine companion, usually a petite 150 lb. German Shepherd or the like. She even had a cat once who thought it was a 150 lb. German Shepherd. When she bought her own home, she promptly got yet another dog and was never without one throughout her adult life.

At four years old DeAnn experienced an event that would introduce her to one of the greatest and longest lasting loves of her life. Little DeAnn attended the opening of Disneyland in California and met the indomitable Mickey Mouse. The die was cast. Forever after DeAnn would become known for her collection of Mickey memorabilia. From statuettes, to home & holiday décor, to golf club covers, and even sported over her heart on nearly every shirt she owned as an adult, DeAnn happily displayed Mr. Mickey Mouse.

Following her graduation from high school in Palm Springs, DeAnn completed her AA degree at the College of the Desert. Shortly thereafter, DeAnn miraculously survived a horrible car accident and required a great many surgeries to fully recover. As a result, she was forced to pause her education while she rehabilitated.

Ultimately, DeAnn moved on to Brigham Young University where she received her BS degree in Elementary Education as well as in Special Education as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired. DeAnn embarked on a career with Granite School District where she found great fulfillment in her role as an itinerant teacher for the Blind & Visually Impaired. She could read Braille by touch, by sight, forwards, backwards, and upside down. Later in her teaching career, DeAnn also earned a Masters Degree in Orientation & Mobility from Texas Tech University. DeAnn loved each of her students deeply. She exulted at their successes, cheered them through their challenges, and spoke of them frequently with pride and tenderness.

During this same period, DeAnn’s aging, loving, and pint-sized mother Velma came to live with her. The two traveled during summer breaks to destinations near and far. They played bridge with friends, participated in P.E.O. ate a LOT of Oreos, laughed together and shared precious mother/daughter time both DeAnn and Velma absolutely treasured.

Retiring in 2016 after 43 years of teaching, DeAnn filled her final years with compassionate service, temple work, travel, making beautiful lace creations, volunteering in her church and in her community, and spending time with loving friends and family. DeAnn’s steps into the next phase of her eternal journey have truly left many holes in this mortal sojourn.

DeAnn is preceded in death by her father Floyd J. Graves, her mother Velma D. Graves, many beloved canines (and that one confused kitty). DeAnn leaves behind her furry companion Bear as well as aunts and uncles, beloved friends and cousins, neighbors and lacers, PEO sisters and former students all of whom can attest to enriched and beautified lives by having known DeAnn, having loved DeAnn, and having been loved by DeAnn.

There will be a closed casket visitation the evening of Thursday, July 31st from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at her LDS Stake Center, 1050 E. Galena Dr, Sandy, UT. Funeral services will be held at the same location the morning of Friday, August 1st at 11:00 am with a brief visitation to precede the Service from 10:00 am – 10:45 am under the direction of Goff Mortuary. Goff Mortuary will provide live streaming of the funeral service. Please visit www.goffmortuary.com for more information.

Funeral services will be live-streamed at: https://evt.live/deann-graves