Sahay Deeny, 54, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday (July 15, 2014) at the University Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

Sahay Deeny born (Tsehaye Tesfaye) was born December 28, 1959, in Gondar, Ethiopia. On August 16, 1991 in Spalding, Nebraska, Sahay was united in marriage to Daniel Hugh Deeny at St. Michael’s Catholic Church.

Sahay is survived by her husband Dan; one daughter, Beza Daniel of Nome, Alaska, as well as two brothers and many relatives.

Sahay enjoyed people-talking with them and visiting them. She had many friends. Four years ago Sahay returned to Ethiopia and made a pilgrimage to Kulibi Gabriel. This pilgrimage is beloved by Ethiopian Orthodix Christians. Sahey loved growing flowers, herbs, grape vines, bushes, trees and pea plants. Sahay planted peach seeds in her town and a tree is now providing peaches. Sahay loved making Ethiopian food. She made injera and wat and was skilled at making shuro sauce, gunfo, and bulla. She was a skilled basket maker and her baskets are beautiful. Sahay was a good woman, good wife, good homemaker, and a good mother. She was and is, very proud of her daughter Beza Daniel.

Public visitation will be held Thursday (July 17, 2014) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home, with a prayer service with rosary held 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday (July 18, 2014) at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Kirksville, with Father Chris Cordes officiating. Interment will follow the service at Mary Immaculate Catholic Cemetery at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville, Missouri.