02/17/2025
IN MEMORIAM
DeAnne K Wilfong, Founder and CEO of Smooth Transitions of the Inland Northwest, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025 following a short illness.
Retirement is Not for Everyone. When DeAnne moved to Spokane, Washington in 2006 she retired from her position as a Project Manager for the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma and began a search for her next adventure. Instead of a start-up business she chose to create a Lifestyle business so she could continue to use her experience as a Project Manager, Realtor, Interior Decorator and a Business Development trainer. In 2011 DeAnne and Ralph opened Smooth Transitions of the Inland Northwest, LLC, a Senior Move Management company.
DeAnne was a motivational speaker. Her inspiration came from her clients and her business partner and husband, Ralph. Her greatest satisfaction was walking people through the emotionally and physically demanding job of downsizing and moving. She delighted in seeing the joy in a client’s eyes as they arrived at their new home, and that is what makes the hard work of sorting, packing, moving and unpacking worthwhile.
She was a much-loved teacher in the Spokane Community College Act 2 program. There she entertained hundreds of seniors and their families with her humorous presentations and workshops such as Is it Trash or a Treasure?, Hoarding: Breaking the Bo***ge, Less Stuff is More Fun, Boomers Guide to Moving Your Parents, and others.
DeAnne participated in both local and national organizations as an advocate for seniors in a time of transition. This included the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers where she earned an A+ rating. She was well known throughout the senior community in both Eastern Washington and North Idaho.
Ralph will continue to operate Smooth Transitions along with a fine group of dedicated employees. DeAnne will be sorely missed but she trained her staff well to carry on her legacy.
