Deanna L. Shockley

Deanna L. (Johnsen) Shockley, age 83, a lifelong resident of Lowell died Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at her daughter’s home following a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert J. Shockley, to whom she was married for 47 years prior to his death in 2005. 

She was born in Lowell on August 14, 1940, and was the youngest of seven children of Percy Henry and Laura Caroline (Larsen) Johnsen. She received her education in Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School, class of 1958. 

Prior to her retirement, Deanna was employed for 37 years as a stitcher by MF Horan Drapery in Lowell. 

She enjoyed going to the beach, drives along the New Hampshire and Maine coast, people watching and attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting events, especially hockey. She also enjoyed learning about the civil war, especially Abraham Lincoln. 

Deanna really enjoyed and looked forward to the holiday season from decorating her home, to Christmas shopping to hostessing the Christmas dinner. Seeing all her children, grandchildren as well as her great grandchildren. Family was everything to her.

When her children were young, Deanna enjoyed taking them for walks in the cemetery to keep cool in shade of the trees during the summer months.

Deanna is survived by her daughter, Karyn L. Avila of Pepperell; three sons, Randall S. Shockley of N. Chelmsford, Keyth E. Shockley and his wife Jacqueline of Dracut and Greig A. Shockley and his wife Lisa of Nashua, NH; ten grandchildren, Ezequiel J. Avila, Kyle Shockley, Kristin Shockley, Leddy Shockley, Liam Shockley, Andrew Shockley, Celina Bergeron, Greig A. Shockley, Jr., Ryan Shockley and Kristy Shockley; four great grandchildren, Avalien, Greig, III, Gianna and Aiden; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was also the mother of the late Dennis N. Shockley, the mother-in-law of the late Ezequiel A. Avila, the grandmother of the late Adam Shockley and the sister of the late George Johnsen, Russell Johnsen, Paul Johnsen, Gloria Shea, Audrey Holden and Sonia Cahill. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Deanna’s Life Celebration at the MCKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell on Tuesday, July 16th from 9:00 until 11:00am followed by her Funeral Service at 11:00am at the funeral home. Burial in Varnum Cemetery in Dracut. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Deanna’s memory to Paralyzed Veterans of America, PVA National Processing Center,, P.O. Box 758589, Topeka, KS 66675-8542 or at pva.org.