IRENE ELIZABETH DEEKEN Irene Elizabeth Deeken of Chico California, died April 6, 2018 at the age of 72 years. Elizabeth was born 1/19/1946 in St. Louis, Missouri to Sylvester and Marian Deeken. Irene Elizabeth graduated from Rosati-Kain High School in St. Louis and nursing school at St. John's Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. After working as an obstetrics nurse in St. Louis and Denver, CO. Elizabeth graduated from Nurse-Midwifery school at the University of Mississippi in 1983 and worked as a midwife in Raymondville, Texas where Elizabeth met Lisa Caterall of Chico. In 1985 Elizabeth moved to Chico, CA to work with Lisa for Drs. Steve Lazaro, Susan Khem, and Walt Masen Jr. at OB-GYN Associates. In 1986 Elizabeth and Lisa opened their own practice, 0B-GYN Associates Nurse Midwifery Services in Chico, California. Elizabeth thought she delivered around 3000 babies during her career, mostly at Enloe Hospital in Chico. Elizabeth Loved children and supported children's advocacy in her community. She was an active member of Children's Home Society and later Phoenix for Children in Chico. Elizabeth had a love of hearts of all kinds and collected them for years. She gave of hers without reservation. Elizabeth is survived by her husband, William Price of Chico, CA; her daughters Colleen McGrane Kirchem (Aron) of Red Bluff, CA; Rebecca McGrane Marbarger (Jay) of Olivette, MO; and her son, John Hays of Tahoe City, CA. Elizabeth's grandchildren are Katelyn, Claire, Kristina, and Cathleen Tobin of Red Bluff, CA and Bianca and Sean Marbarger of Olivette, MO. Elizabeth is also survived by brothers and sisters: David Deeken (Julie) of Forstell, MO; Katherine (Bud) Schuler of O'FaIlon, MO; Patrick Deeken (Shelly) of Florissant, MO; Margaret Schicker of St. Charles, MO; Jane Deeken of NY, NY; Ellen Marsh of St. Louis, MO.; and Christopher Deeken (Janet) of Golden Eagle, IL. Elizabeth is predeceased by her sister Carolyn Cahill (Dan) of Salem, MO. A celebration of life is planned for June 5, 2018. Additional information is available at www neptune-society.com/location/chico-ca Memorial contributions may be Made to: The Philippine Scholarship Fund, 4032 Second St. Palo Alto, CA 94306 or Wings of Eagles 1380 Filbert Ave. Chico, CA 95926 or to the charity of your choice.

Published in Chico Enterprise-Record on Apr. 17, 2018