Dayna Jo French

Dayna Jo French, beloved mother, grandmother, soon-to-be great- grandmother, teacher, and cherished "Nanny," passed away peacefully on May 27th, 2026, after a life filled with love, family, and devotion.

She was born on April 15, 1943, in Salina, Kansas, to Edward Loy French and Margaret Eloise Hull-French. Dayna graduated from Wichita State University. While visiting Hawaii during a summer break, she met the love of her life, Jack Anderson. Their connection was immediate, and they were soon married. Dayna and Jack welcomed two children, Chad Anderson and Amy Anderson, who brought great joy and purpose to her life.

For many years, Dayna devoted herself to being a homemaker, creating a loving home and nurturing her family. Later, she fulfilled a longtime goal by becoming a teacher, touching the lives of countless students with her patience, kindness, and encouragement. Dayna found happiness in life's simple pleasures. She enjoyed shopping, watching her favorite television shows, and spending time with family. One of her greatest joys was being "Nanny" to her grandsons, Teddy and Austin Stewart.

She loved talking with them, sharing stories, listening to old music, and reminiscing about favorite artists such as Ray Charles and Elvis Presley. She was especially excited about becoming a great-grandmother in the coming months and eagerly awaited the arrival of her first great-grandson. She took great delight in helping choose the perfect name for him and looked forward to meeting him. Dayna also had a special love for dogs and leaves behind her cherished companion, Stella French.

She was preceded in death by her former husband, Jack Anderson; her parents, Edward and Margaret French; and her sister, Georgia Gay Gadberry.

Dayna leaves behind her brother, Ed French; son, Chad Anderson and his wife, Maria; her daughter, Amy Anderson; her grandsons, Teddy Stewart II and his wife, Bayley, and Austin Stewart and his partner, Jade Warner; her beloved dog, Stella French; and many extended family members and friends who will forever cherish her memory.

Dayna will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. While our hearts are heavy with grief, we take comfort in knowing that she is no longer in pain and has been reunited with her parents, her sister, her former husband, and other loved ones who welcomed her home. Her legacy of love, laughter, kindness, and devotion to family will live on in all those lives she touched.

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