Deanna Trotchie

DEANNA LOUISE TROTCHIE May 25, 1950 – July 7, 2022 Deanna was born May 25, 1950, passed at sunset on July 7, 2022. She was born in Harlem, Montana to George Edward Trotchie and Mary Louise (Briere) Trotchie. She is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the grandmother and great-grandmother of ten (10) enrolled Yakama grandchildren. Deanna graduated from Seattle Community College with an AA Degree in 1970 and attended Western Washington State College where she majored in Anthropology and Sociology and graduated in 1971 with her BA Degree, and then achieved her Master of Education in August 1974. In the fall of 1974 she resided in Tacoma, Washington and was employed as a Career Specialist for Pierce County School District. She later served as the Education Director for Small Tribes of Western Washington (STOWW) where she worked with Nak Nu We Sha with the Yakama Nation. Additionally, she served the Director of Social Services for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She also spent much of her time being self-employed and enjoyed photography, gardening, painting, creating jewelry and organizing family reunions. Deanna was blessed with a large, loving family and is survived by many including two sisters, Jackie Trotchie of Missoula, MT and Georgia Trotchie of Arlington, WA as well as niece Stephanie Anderson of Lewiston, ID. Three sons, Tyran Trotchie, residing in Yakima, WA and his five children: Alisha, George, Tanya, Clarice, and Tyran Jr. and eight (8) great-grandchildren. Her son Bluejay Gunnyon residing in Seattle, WA and her son Coyote Gunnyon residing with his wife Christi and two (2) sons Elijah and Noah in Zillah, WA. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished by her twenty-five-year lifetime domestic partner, Philip LaCourse of Yakima, WA and his daughters Amber LaCourse and Sara LaCourse whom each reside with their children in Marysville, WA. Deanna enjoyed her extended family - all of whom hold a special place in her heart. Deanna was preceded in death by her parents George Edward Trotchie and Mary Louise (Briere) Trotchie, her brothers Albert and Joseph Trotchie, and her sisters Florence Hansen, Alice Auth, Pauline Fellows, and Clara Anderson. Deanna’s life will be honored and celebrated on July 12th at 8:00am Valley Hills Funeral Home located at 218 W. 3rd Street, Wapato, WA. Lunch to proceed at 11:00am, which will be served at Hope for the Nations Church located at 606 Washington Avenue, Toppenish, WA. All are welcome. In a family service, Deanna will be laid to rest at the Union Gap Cemetery on southside of Ahtanum Ridge overlooking the sovereign lands of the Yakama Nation. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Deanna Trotchie, please visit our flower store.