March 21, 1954-Oct. 13, 2016

Homer resident Deidre Ann Bottineau, 62, died suddenly Thursday morning, Oct. 13, 2016.

A celebration of life is 2-6 p.m. Saturday Oct. 22, 2016, at Wasabi’s Restaurant, 59217 East End Road, with a no-host bar.

Born in Los Angeles, Calif., in 1954, Deidre was always challenging herself to do and learn different things. She inspired spiritual wisdom and aspiration to all with equal ease. Her sense of adventure made Dee a true Alaska woman. She loved to travel, and created great memories with those who went with her on her journeys. She told great stories of driving on the Alaska Highway, and her travels took her from California to Washington and Hawaii. Her final travels were to Alaska, where she found her home.

In her younger years she went to school at Sacramento High, followed by college in Arizona. She did barista training in Seattle as well as chef training and baking under the head chef at the Seattle Hilton Hotel. Her journeys moved her to Alaska where she worked at Land’s End Resort as a chef. She catered many weddings and events throughout the Kenai Peninsula. She opened her own business in Homer, Dragonfly nails by Dee, where she used her skills and talents to bless the community. She loved taking care of her friends, family and customers, doing volunteer work at the hospital, the Homer Elks Club and the Homer Senior Center. She sponsored many Homer High School teams, activities and CTSO events to help kids improve their lives. She was a life member of The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, always helping with events and banquets.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Bottineau; her daughter; Barbie Bastin; her sons, Kevin Bottineau and Keith Bottineau; her 11 grandchildren, Cara Bottineau, Brittany Russell, Katy Richardson, Brandi Miller, Mike Bastin, Kele Bottineau, Koree Bottineau, Alex Bastin, Kala Davidson, McKinzie Bottineau and Amanda Bastin; and 11 great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren remember fondly summers at Grandma Dee’s, camping, fishing, hunting, horseback riding and playing in the barn.

“She leaves a legacy of love and generosity for others to follow. Heaven can only account for the many lives and hearts that she has touched. We are stronger and richer for knowing her. Now let’s celebrate a chance to watch Dee spread her wings and guide us,” her family said.

Arrangements were made by Homer Funeral Home & Cremation Services.