Deanna Despard Rusch

April  20th, 1966 January  2nd, 2025
Claremont, CA
Deanna Despard Rusch

"IN ONE OF THE STARS, I SHALL BE LIVING.

IN ONE OF THEM I SHALL BE LAUGHING.

AND SO, IT WILL BE AS IF ALL THE STARS

WILL BE LAUGHING WHEN YOU LOOK AT

THE NIGHT SKY."

Antoine de Saint-Exupery



Obituary



~ LA Commercial Advertising Stylist & Producer,
Beloved Wife, Mother, and long-time Claremont resident, passed away unexpectedly on January 2nd, at the age of 58. 

Deanna was a multi-talented Hair & Make-Up Artist, Stylist, and Set Designer, for Print, Catalog, & TV Advertising.
She is best known for working as a Producer on the award-winning ad campaigns for Harley Davidson & Marlboro.
She traveled to rugged locations in Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado & Montana in search of iconic landscapes, weathered cowboys,
and the perfect winding road.

Deanna painted life upon her face, a tapestry of joy & laughter.
With every step a vibrant hue, she danced through life, authentic and true.
With open arms, she held the world, a heart that loved unasked, fiercely devoted to family & friends.
Deanna was a radiant light, a vibrant flame, a life lived out loud. Her care and loving dedication to her family was unbound.
Though she has left us, forever her memory will remain.

Deanna’s legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of her surviving loved ones; husband Scott Rusch, children Ava & Vaughn, sister Bobbette Despard Parker, and many other dear friends & relatives.
A Celebration of Life event will be held sometime in the Spring.


Quote


~ TO LIVE IN HEARTS WE LEAVE BEHIND IS NOT TO DIE

"That place in the heart that holds the measure of your history,
the joy and the grief, the laughter and the tears, the magic and the wonder;
all the ingredients that add up to the story of a life well lived".

Lilli Jolgren-Day, The Wonder of Ordinary Magic

~ I ONLY WANTED YOU

"They say memories are golden, well, maybe this is true.
I never wanted memories, I only wanted you.
A million times I needed you, a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still.
Inside my heart you hold a place, no one could ever fill.
If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane,
I’d walk the path to heaven, and bring you home again.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again."

Vicky Holder



Timeline

2025
May
Deanna Despard Rusch Celebration of Life Event 
Will take place at a location undetermined sometime in May or June.
More information to follow.
Claremont, CA 

Gallery

Videos

Memory wall

LIFE STARTS WITH LOVE AND ENDS WITH LOVE

MEMORIES NEED TO BE SHARED

A single life touches many hearts.
And together we gather to honor someone truly beloved.
As a special guest, friend, and family member, we welcome you to share
your Treasured Memories & Photos of Deanna on the Memory Wall.
Your words of encouragement, heartfelt stories, and images will forever be cherished!




January 25, 2025
We are so sorry to hear about Deanna, we send our deepest sympathy to the entire family. Though it’s been some time since we have seen Deanna, our memory will forever be her beautiful smile and loving presence. We send prayers of comfort during this heartbreaking time.
Brad & Kim Parker
January 25, 2025
To Scott, Ava and Vaughn,
We are saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to you at this difficult time. Deanna was such a wonderful person and will be sorely missed. Her smile was infectious and love for her family was always evident. She touched so many lives in her short time with us. We should hold our memories of her close to our hearts to bring comfort at this sad time.
Love,

Michael & Sally Shore
Michael & Sally Shore
January 23, 2025
Our hearts ache for brother-in-law Scott, niece Ava, & nephew Vaughn, over the untimely passing of their beloved Wife & Mother.
We are beyond heartbroken, and offer you our deepest sympathy and support. Deanna was a beautiful person inside and out. She had a fun-loving spirit, witty sense of humor, and loved you to the moon & back. We stand with you in this time of grief & sorrow.
The Parker Family
January 23, 2025
The day we became sisters, Deanna was imprinted on my heart, and we forged a tight knit bond that could never be broken.
She brought love, laughter, and light into my world, and was my lifelong friend. She’s the one who could finish my sentences, and knew what I was thinking without a word. We freely shared our hopes & dreams, secrets of love, loss, & heartbreak together. We knew each others story inside and out. Through good times & bad, we were there for one another, and remained loyal, and true. Deanna holds such a huge part of my heart. I will always cherish the memories we created together. Nothing can replace the love of a sister!
Spirit to spirit- heart to heart-sisters forever together & apart.
Bobbette Parker
January 22, 2025
Our family has lost Deanna a loved member . My daughter in law had a big heart and loved to take care of everyone.

I enjoyed many visits with my Ca family and have many happy memories of those visits.

Everyone who met her loved her she will be missed.
Lynda Green

Family tree

Gene Despard
LaRue Despard Shore
Scott Rusch

Bobbette Despard Parker
Ava Rusch


Vaughn Rusch

Bobbette Despard Parker
Scott Rusch

Ava Rusch


Vaughn Rusch

Deanna Rusch

Fun Facts  


Deanna was a Black Diamond Skier
She raced on a ski team in her teens, and skied with Olympic medalist Billy Kidd, in a commercial for Steamboat Springs.
Deanna was an Aviation Enthusiast 
In her early 20's she attended flight school, and obtained a small craft Private Pilots License. She loved flying solo in a Cessna 172.
Deanna was a Child Actor 
She performed at Children's Theatre Company, and was a Model for Print, Catalog, & TV Ads. 
Deanna and Skott met in 1998
 At a concert for German electronic artists Michael Rother & Dieter Moebius, at "Spaceland" in Los Angeles.
In 1984, Deanna was cast by her talent agent, to appear in a Bruce Springsteen video being filmed in Minneapolis. 
She was to be the young woman who was pulled from the audience by the Boss himself, and then dance with him on stage while he sang “Dancing in the Dark”.  At the last minute, Director Brian De Palma decided they needed to cast someone shorter to dance alongside Bruce instead. Deanna was 5'10". So, they flew in a little known actress from NYC, named Courtney Cox.
Deanna was a Prince groupie
In the late 80’s Deanna frequently flocked to after-hour jam sessions to watch Prince perform at “First Avenue”, and his new nightclub "Glam Slam". In the early 90’s when Prince started hosting late night concerts at his music studio “Paisley Park”, Deanna was a regular. When the mood was right, Prince and his band would emerge and play for hours. On epic nights, Deanna would greet the rising sun, as she exited the building after the show.


Donate

$ 4,825
Raised by 19 people
IN HONOR OF DEANNA DESPARD RUSCH...
WE INVITE YOU TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE RUSCH FAMILY MEMORIAL FUND 


Your generous donation will serve as a meaningful tribute, perpetuating the spirit of Deanna by helping to support Scott, Ava, & Vaughn through this emotionally trying time, with unexpected financial costs,
and upcoming college expenses. 

The Rusch family is extremely grateful for all the support they've received from their
Family, Friends, Co-Workers, & Neighbors. 

With Love and Gratitude,
Scott, Ava, & Vaughn

IN THE END, ALL YOU EVER WANT IS MORE TIME,
MORE TIME TO SAY I LOVE YOU, MORE TIME FOR HUGS,
MORE TIME FOR LAUGHTER, MORE TIME TO CREATE MEMORIES.


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