Obituary of Desirae Nichole Dean

Desirae Nichole "Desi" Dean, 33, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away on July 31, 2023, in Albuquerque. Desi was born on August 17, 1989, in Albuquerque, to her beloved parents, Laurie and Henry Dean. She was a cherished granddaughter, daughter, mother, niece, cousin, and friend.

 

Desi is survived by her amazing son Benjamin Clingan, parents Laurie and Henry Dean, Grandfather Benjamin Duran Sr., Grandmother Roseann Dean, Godparents Uncle Ben and Aunt Jennie Duran, Aunt Janet Hartogensis, Aunt April Baltazar, and a host of cherished cousins. She was preceded in death by her Grandmother Emily Duran, Grandfather Ross Dean, and Uncle LeRoy Duran Sr.

Desi was an only child who grew up remarkably close to her mother’s family. She had a special bond with her older cousin Nick Hartogensis and younger cousin Adam Duran, whom her grandmother Emily lovingly cared for. Desi's childhood was filled with delightful trips to Disneyland, where she created treasured memories with her family. Her enthusiasm and dedication were evident as she assisted her family in organizing fundraising events for these remarkable vacations. Desi's spirit of adventure extended to various road trips to California, where she made unforgettable stops along the way, sharing those experiences later in life with her son Benjamin. She delighted in collecting and trading Disney pins, with Tinkerbell holding a special place in her heart as her favorite character.

 

Desi spent several of her vacations traveling to Texas spending time with one of her favorite cousins Taysia Perkins. She looked forward to Taysia visiting Albuquerque where the two shared several summers and holidays together.  Even though they lived in different states they grew up awfully close and shared a special bond.

Artistic expression was an integral part of Desi's life. She was a talented and passionate artist, known for her skill in drawing, writing poetry, and singing karaoke. Desi's creative spirit led her to pursue ceramics throughout her high school years, where she had the pleasure of meeting her son's father, Steven Clingan. She possessed a deep love for animals and cared for several pets, including cats, dogs, rats, and even a frog. Desi's compassion extended beyond her furry friends, as she demonstrated exceptional care for the elderly, particularly her Grandma Emily during her battle with kidney disease and her Grandpa Ross who suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Desi shared her father's enthusiasm for mixed martial arts, especially the UFC, and they attended numerous pay-per-view and live events together, creating lasting memories. At the age of twelve, Desi had the incredible opportunity to see her favorite music group, *NSYNC, perform in Denver, Colorado. Her love for music and artistry was further evident in her desire to learn to play the drums, a dream she carried from youth. Though her drumming aspirations did not fully come to fruition, Desi explored percussion instruments in middle school band and played guitar throughout high school.

 

Desi’s favorite holiday throughout her life was Halloween. She had countless costumes of all different types.  Desi was skilled at face painting and incorporated that into her love of creating unique costumes for her family.  She continued the tradition of “trick or treating” with her son dressing in costume herself.

Desi's academic journey included her attendance at Manzano High School, where she cultivated her artistic talents. She later pursued higher education at CNM. Desi's dedication and work ethic led her to establish a successful career as an optician at Sandia Vision and New Mexico Eyecare. She provided exceptional care and made a positive impact on the lives of her patients.

Private services will be held to honor Desi's life, attended by close family and friends.

 

Benjamin, Henry, and Laurie extend their deep gratitude for the kindness, support, and generosity their loved ones have shown during this difficult time.

In remembrance of Desi, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to any animal rescue organizations, reflecting her deep love for all creatures, great and small.

The Riverside Funeral Home in Albuquerque, NM, is assisting the family with the arrangements, ensuring the utmost respect and care during this time of grief.

Desi leaves behind a legacy of love, creativity, and kindness. This world has lost her much too soon. As we bid her farewell, may she find eternal peace in the embrace of our Heavenly Father.  We will miss and love her always.

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