Deidra (Dee) Bryant Faessler passed away in Kona Community Hospital from extended complications of acute pneumonia on July 29, 2017. She was born March 16, 1947 in Portland, Oregon, the daughter of Morris A. Bryant (deceased), formerly of Portland, and Betty Bryant (deceased), formerly of San Dimas, California. She married Jack A. Faessler February 28, 1981 in Anaheim, California.

On January 6, 1986, Dee took her oath as the first woman elected to the Whitefish, Montana, City Council. From 1985 to 1988 she was Director of Community Relations at North Valley Hospital, Whitefish, Montana. She retired in 2007 after a 15-year exemplary career within the Finance Division of Qwest Communications, Seattle, Washington. She and husband Jack retired in 2012 to Hawaii Island.

Educational accomplishments were very important to Dee:

Mt. San Antonio College – AA Police Science/AA Secretarial Science

Portland State University – BS Pre-Law/Business

Federal Executive Institute – Graduate Fellowship

Portland State University – MPA Labor Relations/Arbitration

Community memberships included:

Christ Church Episcopal

Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary

VFW Auxiliary

Hospice of Kona

Seven decades ago, Dee was given the gift of life. Her gift had an expiration date. No longer will she shop throughout Seattle’s Pike Place Market or feed the gulls on Oregon beaches. No more will she enjoy a favorite seafood meal at either Merriman’s Big Island or ‘ULU Ocean Grill.

Dee wanted everyone to know that her Hawaiian retirement is now over. She received a new calling, an offer she could not refuse, to an off-island appointment from which she will never return. In addition to maximum job security, her new assignment comes with a massive sign-on bonus and a reunion with family and friends not seen in a long time. Her new assignment takes her to a most wonderful destination, where she will be socializing and dancing to her new heart’s content. Music, chasing rainbows, laughter and love are guaranteed. Oysters, Dungeness crab and Copper River salmon dining is “DA BEST” there.

Dee enjoyed retirement on Hawai’i Island, but regretted that there were limited forward-thinking volunteer opportunities to challenge her seemingly boundless energies. The loss is collectively ours.

Farewell, My Love. We will reunite again –- soon,

Jack

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry:

I am not there. I did not die.

Private services will be held. It was Dee’s wish to be cremated and scattered at sea.