With deep sorrow and much love, we mourn the passing of Deena “Breezy” Gledhill, who lost her courageous battle with cancer on August 22, 2022 at the age of 45.
Breezy was special from the day she was born. Making her debut on 7/7/77, Breezy’s arrival made the local newspaper in Burbank, California, where she was born to lucky parents, Denise and Don Gledhill. Breezy grew up in nearby Santa Clarita, graduating from Saugus High School in 1995 and going on to earn a BA from Chapman University.
In 2008, Breezy made the move to Ventura, California, where she immediately fell in love with the community. Breezy’s luminous spirit enabled her to develop authentic and lasting friendships wherever she went. From her first local job as a server at Mimi’s Cafe to her years working with The Ventura Breeze newspaper, Breezy built an army of friends who would forever be changed for the better, just for having known her.
One of Breezy’s passions was working with the senior community. She spent much of her time being a chaperone on field trips and visiting her senior buddies, who she loved to spend hours with, listening to their stories from the past. Breezy cherished these moments and the bonds she made.
Breezy was a free spirit, who danced to the beat of her own drum and had a heart of gold… or perhaps tie-dye. In her freetime, Breezy loved playing her Little Martin guitar and listening to the Beatles on Sunday mornings. Live music brought her joy, especially Tom Petty and Pearl Jam, and she was so proud to watch her brothers play throughout the years. The beach was her happy place, where she found beauty, inspiration, and solace. It was along the rocks at Surfer’s Point where Breezy first discovered that she had a raw talent for photography, capturing stunning pictures of both nature and people. Breezy’s greatest joy, however, came from spoiling her niece, Louvelle, and Breezy would revel in sharing Louvelle’s latest photo, or funny anecdote, with anyone she met.
Breezy’s sincerity, dedication to others, and empathy had an impact on every life she touched, which could be seen by the sheer number of old friends and new who reached out, dropped by to visit, and/or offered support to Breezy during her cancer fight. Her last two years were not easy but are a testament to Breezy’s strength and heart that she never stopped fighting and never allowed cancer to steal her love of life.
The world has lost an incredible human being, and she will be greatly missed.
Breezy is survived by her mother, Denise Gledhill, her brothers, Doug and Derek, her half-brother, Scott, her sister-in-law, Sheryle, and her niece, Louvelle.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Humane Society of Ventura County or The VCAAA Foundation.
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration on Breezy's Life at 6:00 pm on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Ventura Harbor - Surfer's Knoll Beach (South), 1878-1998 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura. Please bring a single, easily degradable flower for a sunset tribute. Everyone is welcome. Please come as you are.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.