'Our mother was our hero'

Deanna Rovner of East Rockaway dies at 75

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Deanna Rovner, former administrative director for Israel Bonds and the first female finance manger of a Cadillac Car Dealership, died on Sept. 1 from unexpected complications related to mitral valve surgery at NYU Langone Hospital in Manhattan. The East Rockaway resident was 75.

Rovner had overcome so much in her life and was an inspiration to all who knew her. She lost her husband to a heart attack at the age of 35, and raised two sons as a single parent in Hewlett. She also battled hepatitis, multiple back surgeries, Barrett’s esophagus, bleeding ulcers, a stent procedure that almost led to a fatal staph Infection, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement surgery, before succumbing to complications related her most recent procedure.

“Our mother was our hero,” said sons, Brett Rovner of Hewlett and Marc Rovner of East Rockaway. “She was both parents to us and was an incredible mother, friend, and role model. We were blessed to have her as long as we did, but there is now a hole in our hearts that can never truly be healed.”

Deanna Rovner was born in Brooklyn in 1941 and, after marrying her childhood sweetheart, Errol, they relocated to Lefrak City in Queens. She moved to Hewlett in 1974 following Errol’s death, and worked multiple jobs, including her stint as administrative director at Israel Bonds and finance manager at Paul Conte Cadillac. She worked tirelessly and sacrificed everything in order to raise her family in Hewlett, according to her sons, which she considered to be the best school district on Long Island. Her efforts were rewarded as she saw both of her sons graduate college. Marc received his degree from Boston University, where he went on to receive his Juris Doctorate at their School of Law, while Brett graduated from the New York Institute of Technology. Deanna remained in Hewlett until 1995 when she relocated to East Rockaway, where she remained until her death.

Besides her two sons, Rovner is survived by their wives Debbie and Stacey, and her eight grandchildren: Erica, Emily, Max, AJ, Sam, Ryan, Blake, and Taylor; her brothers Ron and Martin, and their wives Fran and Deborah.

Arrangements were made under direction of Boulevard-Riverside Chapels. A chapel service was held on Sept. 2, with interment following at Wellwood Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.