Deanna Pearl (Rogers) Bennett, 66, a lifelong resident of Sitka, passed away on July 26, 2026, at Swedish Hospital Cherry Hill in Seattle, Washington, after a three-year battle with endometrial cancer. She was surrounded by the love of her husband and daughters during her final days.
Deanna was born and raised in Sitka and graduated from Sitka High School in 1978. She grew up attending St. Gregory’s Catholic Church and remained a dedicated parishioner throughout her life. Her faith was especially important during her battle with cancer, providing her with strength and comfort along the way.
In addition to raising her children, Deanna worked at various businesses and organizations throughout the community, including Phil Davis & Associates, Greg Scheff & Associates, Lakeside Grocery, Sitka Community Hospital, and, most recently, as a tour guide for Sitka Tours.
Few jobs could have suited Deanna better than being a tour guide in the hometown she loved so much. She was incredibly proud to be from Sitka and loved sharing its beauty, history, wilderness, and unique sense of community with others. Sitka was much more than the place Deanna lived—it was home in every sense of the word. She deeply valued the connections she made throughout a lifetime there and loved being part of the community.
Deanna loved the outdoors and could often be seen on her daily walks around town, through the National Park, or on the local hiking trails. She also enjoyed four-wheeling with her husband and family on Kruzof Island and leading hikes during her years on the Sitka Trail Works board.
Deanna loved hosting family and friends and traveling to visit her children and grandchildren. She will forever be remembered as a doting grandma, always planning fun adventures and making special memories with her grandkids.
Deanna was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Alvin Rogers III and Georgia Lorraine Rogers of Sitka, as well as her brother Donnie and sister Sandra.
She is survived by her husband, Lee Bennett of Sitka; daughters Aubrey (Rob) Merritt of Bellingham, Washington, Amber (Eric) Brewer of Juneau, Alaska, and Kayla (Ben) Conner of Portland, Oregon; stepdaughter Amie Bennett of Lititz, Pennsylvania; and stepson Troy (Tracy) Bennett of Green Bay, Wisconsin. She also is survived by her siblings Debbie Rogers of Olympia, Washington, Frank (Nicole) Rogers of Sitka, Joelle (Bill) Miller of Fairbanks, Alaska, Hally (Justin) Coulter of Longmont, Colorado; and 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Deanna will always be remembered for her friendly nature, positive attitude, deep love for her family, and unwavering pride in the community she called home. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed.
A Funeral Liturgy will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Sitka. A celebration of her life will immediately follow downstairs at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Deanna’s memory to the Sitka Cancer Survivor’s Society.
