Deana Kay McDaid

     Deana Kay McDaid, age 49, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Monday, April 21, 2025, at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, Lansing, MI.
     Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
     Deana was born in Carson City, Michigan on September 28, 1975, the daughter of Carol and Sharon (Smith) Watson. She graduated from Mt. Dora High School in Florida with the class of 1993. Deana married Joseph McDaid on June 11, 2005, in Ithaca.
     Deana was the administrative assistant in the athletic department at Ithaca Public School for 20 years. She started the Ithaca Junior High volleyball program and continued to coach for many years. Deana was in charge of the Veterans events for Ithaca football, basketball, and baseball. She was an avid reader and U of M fan. She loved gardening, plants, flowers, and spending time on Windover Lake in the sun. She was a wonderful cook, baker, and homemaker, who always put her family first. Deana was her sons’ biggest cheerleader when it came to their sports and school events. She also enjoyed supporting of her husband and sons on their many hunting adventures. She was an amazing wife, mom, and friend who will be remembered for her positive spirit. Deana was a member of a support group and helped mentor and inspire others battling cancer. She was known for her battle cry, "Whatever it takes".
     She is survived by her husband Joe McDaid, her sons: Gunner McDaid, and Justice McDaid, her mother Sharon Watson, father-in-law and mother-in-law Gary and Marty McDaid, brothers: Rick Watson, Robert and Judy Watson, Randy and Johanna Watson, Roger and Tammy Watson, and Raymond and Tonya Watson, and sister-in-law Sarah and Brandon Smith. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, 1 great-niece, 1 great- nephew, many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father Carol "Beaver" Watson, her grandparents: Lyle and Juanita Smith, her uncle Harold "Ed" Watson, and her cousin Cindy Watson.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ithaca High School Baseball Program. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.