Deanna Fitzgibbons
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It is with profound sadness that we note the passing of Deanna B. Fitzgibbons, 87, of Liberty, Missouri on the 9th of July, 2026. Dee was born in Kansas City on November 27, 1938, the second of four children born to Joseph and Eilson Ziegler. Dee attended Northeast high school, and later attended UMKC for a year, but did not graduate. The Ziegler family were members of Assumption Parish Catholic Church in Northeast Kansas City. It was through the Catholic Youth Organization that Deanna Ziegler and Robert Fitzgibbons of Topeka Kansas met. They were married in early 1962 and lived in south Kansas City where they raised 5 children. Deanna lost her husband Robert in 1986.
Dee worked with her father, Joseph Ziegler Jr., in his insurance agency. After her father’s passing in 1983, Dee took over his business to continue to service their life long customers. She always said she provided Insurance services more than running an insurance agency. People were what mattered. After selling the business in the 1990s, she moved her focus more directly by working on the Staff of CFCA (Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, renamed Unbound), which was founded by lay Catholics acting on the gospel call to serve the poor. Dee worked at CFCA in many roles until she retired to Republic Missouri in 2003. During her time at CFCA, she participated in more than 20 mission trips to Guatemala with teams delivering medical, dental, and optometry to the poor. In Republic MO, she continued her volunteering by helping with local catholic organizations and with her grandchildren.
Later in 2011, Dee moved back to the Kansas City area settling in Liberty MO near her eldest daughter, Elizabeth King. Being a nurse, Elizabeth helped her mother with her daily senior living, while Dee continued her volunteer efforts. One of her favorite causes was to assist with Camp Quality each summer in Excelsior Springs to support
children with cancer.
Dee is survived by her children Shawn, Elizabeth (King), Thomas, Shelly (Hill), Bobette (Howe), many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her sister Jeanie Buffa, and many other family and friends who knew and loved her. Deanna was preceded in death by Robert George Fitzgibbons.
Memorial contributions may be made to CFCA (Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, renamed Unbound), and Camp Quality which supports children with cancer.
A visitation will be held July 21, 2026 from 10:00-11:00 AM at Heartland Cremation and Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 11:00 AM. Burial at Mt Olivet Cemetery, Raytown, MO.
I loved her so much. She was a great friend to me in the short time I knew her. She is greatly missed already. I thank her daughter Libby for bringing her mom to me.
To Shawn and the Fitzsgibbons Families. I met Deanna once in Republic Missouri when Shawn gave me something to drop off to his Mom while we were in town. She was such a warm and sweet person. May the memories you cherish always keep her close to your hearts. My sincere sympathy for your loss.
As a former camper and growing up with Dee I will miss her so much she always helped make the best bracelets at camp you will forever be missed and loved I miss always miss you Mrs Dee
Dee was a very good person in camp quality and it will never be the same without her. She taught so many kids and teens how to work with beads and make beautiful jewelry. Thank you Dee for teaching me everything I know. You will forever be missed Dee.
Libby,
Praying for you and your family. I have such fond memories of Dee through Camp Fire. What as wonderful life and legacy she has left to you all! Blessings!