Deanna Kent (Gorecki)

Deanna Kent (Gorecki) was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 27, 1962. When she was in grade school, her father abandoned her albeit – during these turbulent times, her brother Joe Nardicchio welcomed the opportunity to look after and protect her and her Uncle Dominic became her dedicated father figure. While Deanna was in middle school, her mother married Art Sogian, an Armenian, who was the uncle to Linda McIntosh, Mickey Mardirosian, Aralynn Haidostian, Audrey Markarian and Karen Hagopian. Together, they became Deanna’s cherished cousins for the remainder of her life. She had fond memories of the family holidays with her cousins at Uncle Harry’s and Aunt Alice’s home. One of her last trips was to see her cousins in Michigan, a trip she relished.

Deanna attended Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Livonia, Michigan. There, she met Terri Scrimger, who became her lifelong treasured friend. After graduating Stevenson in 1980, she pursued an associate’s degree in business at Schoolcraft College. In 1983, she started working for Eli Lilly and Company in the Southfield, Michigan district office as a contract secretary and, in 1984, she was offered a coveted position as an employee with Lilly. In 1994, Deanna would meet her lifelong devoted friend, Pam Skandalaris. 

In October of 1988, Deanna met her future husband, Ron, at Coconuts, a local bar in Saginaw, Michigan. Later that month, they went on their first date over a 3-day Halloween weekend. They were married on May 18, 1991, and set forth to experience a balance of both weathering the storms of life and savoring the bliss of life together for over 33 years.

In the late eighties and early nineties, the Southfield, Michigan district office evolved becoming a regional office. A disappointment in her ability to advance at the local office, led to an opportunity in Indianapolis, Indiana. She accepted a job at Lilly’s corporate headquarters in 1994 where she remained until her retirement. Subsequently, Deanna and Ron adventured to Indiana, settled into an apartment in Indianapolis, and later established their home in Fishers, Indiana on October 15, 1994. 

Always devoted to lifelong learning and development, in August 2007, Deanna proudly graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Sciences in business. 

Throughout her career, Deanna utilized her natural interpersonal skills to become an ombudswoman, managing employer coalitions, long term care and behavior healthcare trade, and professional associations. Some of the associations she dedicated her time and talent to include the Academy for Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), the America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the National Community Pharmacy Association (NCPA), the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA), the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), and the National Association of Nursing (NADONA). Over the course of her 33 years at Lilly, she developed friendships and relationships at Lilly, Lilly Vendors, and the professional associations.

In October 2017, Deanna elected to take the Volunteer Employee Retirement Program (VERP) through Lilly, retiring on December 31, 2017, to pursue various philanthropic and personal growth endeavors.

From 2018 to 2023, Deanna embraced new interests and volunteer opportunities. She learned welding and explored drawing, woodworking, landscaping, and fragrance consulting. With a passion for exploring, it would not be uncommon for her and Ron to take off on a motorcycle on a cross-country trip. She volunteered for the Grace Care Center & Choice Food Pantry, Maker Playground 5th Grade Woodshop, The Center for the Performing Arts, and the Fishers vaccination centers. She managed two International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA) meetings and, in October 2023, she was awarded the honor of a Life Membership.

On August 2, 2023, Deanna was diagnosed with Bulbar onset ALS. Once she received her ALS diagnosis, consistent with her devotion to people and community, she actively engaged in the local ALS community. She attended social events and fund-raising, as well as visiting ALS friends in their homes who were unable to travel. She and Ron continued to prioritize adventuring together with their dogs, visiting family and friends, and savoring life. Sadly, nearing their next planned adventure, she passed away at home in Ron’s arms on Monday, July 29, 2024. In addition to the friends and family in her life, Deanna loved all animals and cherished her wonderful dogs, spending dedicated time caring for them in every way. 

Deanna always carried a smile and was ever joyful and energetic. She purposefully cared, connected, and engaged with others and took every opportunity to turn a stranger into a friend. Her life experiences and friendships crossed a broad array of people who knew and felt her love and care. Her laughter, optimism, and ability to savor life was unmatched. She was an artist at using humor to break tension, motivate others, and ease sadness in a loving manner. She was a reminder to all that challenges are merely opportunities for learning, and the highs and lows of life are to be celebrated as they are all a part of the human experience. Her foundation of relationships, compassion, and purpose leave a legacy in the hearts of all who had the pleasure of knowing her. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association www.als.org.