Born in Toledo, Ohio DeeAnn attended the University of Toledo and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1972. A 43 year career saw 20 years with Libbey Owens Ford Co. (now Pilkington, NA) and 23 years with Corning, Inc. Notable distinctions include 2 patents, a Professional Engineer’s License in Ohio for 30+ years and presenting a paper before an international conference in 1988. Working globally led to a better understanding of different cultures and perspectives. During her time at Corning, DeeAnn was involved with various employee affinity groups including serving as president for 3 years on an affinity group for Black engineers and technicians. She was also a member of their company-wide LGBTQ employee affinity group. DeeAnn also served as a Board Member for what was the Transgender Community Coalition and a Steering Committee Member for the local Human Rights Campaign group.
With 2 grown children from a first marriage, a daughter and son, and 2 grand-daughters, DeeAnn and her second wife of 16 years moved to Cathedral City in 2016. “It is important to me to align myself with organizations and people who are not happy about the current state of affairs and are working to do something about it.” And with that philosophy currently serves as the Community Liaison Officer for Great Autos, a Commissioner on the Cathedral City Public Arts Commission, the Volunteer Coordinator for Palm Springs Pride and a Steering Committee Member for Desert Stonewall Democrats. She remains active in other local organizations – Your Women’s Circle and OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing for Change) and The Society of Automotive Historians (Motorsports Section), which feeds her lifelong love of motorsports. Other interests include professional cycling and mid-century architecture, specifically the works of Frank Lloyd Wright.
