Deena DeMartino

Deena DeMartino passed away May 11, 2025, at the age of 76, in South Carolina, after a long, courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her family. Deena was born on November 23, 1948, in Connecticut. She married the love of her life, Rick Rivers II, on the 2nd of June 2001.

Deena is survived by her husband, Richard Rivers II, her beloved dog, Miss Molly, her children, Renee Sheltra, Bert Sheltra and his wife Hallie, and Lisa Schaeffler and her husband, Tim. She was a proud grandmother to Cagney Hamblett and his wife Melissa, Courtney Hood, Joshua Hamblett, Alissa Ashley, and Alec Sheltra, and a beloved great-grandmother to Keaton and Preslie Hamblett and Parker and Henley Hood. And many nieces and nephews and cousins.

She is also survived by her sisters, Janet Hartigan and her husband Mike Reedy, and Kathy Cassidy; her stepbrothers, Jon Frazier and his wife Kelley, and Scott Crothers; her half-siblings, Brad Frazier and his wife Elizabeth, Jeri Baker and her husband Jimmy, and Brigit Frazier; as well as her stepmother, Sue Frazier.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Marion Frazier, her grandson Joshua Hamblett, and her stepbrother Chris Crothers.

Deena was a very gifted artist. Some of her amazing work included long works on crochet products for Works at D’s Creative Creations. She excelled in calligraphy, painting, ceramics, and cake decorating. She loved her family and friends very much and enjoyed spending time with them.

She received her associate’s degree in early childhood education in 1985 from the Community College of Vermont. She had a long career with the Colchester and Burlington School District and eventually worked for the Town of Colchester before retiring.

In place of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society in her honor. The staff at Spartanburg Memorial Hospital were amazing and very compassionate during her stay and kept her comfortable and loved.

A celebration of life will be planned later by her children.