Deidre Bainbridge

Deidre Jean Bainbridge was born Jan. 28, 1954, in Ukiah Calif., to Lawrence “Roy” Bainbridge and Audrey (Mello) Bainbridge.

Raised in Ukiah, Deidre was the eldest of her siblings, Al and Jessica, and a fifth generation Californian. She received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of California at Berkley and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California at Davis. Upon completion of law school, Deidre took a short hiatus to travel Europe which would prove to be the beginning of her fascination for world travel. 

Committed to the less fortunate and believing strongly in justice for all, Deidre worked for over eight years as a public defender in Oakland, Calif., and then settled as a private defense attorney in Jackson, Wyo.  Throughout her life, Deidre continued to use her law degree to advocate for people and causes that promoted a more just and better world.

In July 1989, while venturing on one of her many journeys, Deidre arrived in Jackson to climb the Grand Tetons. On July 4, at a mutual friend’s barbecue, she met Tim Tennyson, who became the love of her life.  As Tim would note, the fireworks started on that day and never stopped.

Best friends and companions for over 30 years, Deidre and Tim traveled the world. Their adventures included trips to Egypt, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Ecuador, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Africa, Easter Island, South Georgia Island (in the southern Atlantic Ocean), Nepal, Bhutan, India, Churchill in Manitoba Canada, Alaska numerous times, Europe, the Azores Islands and many more. Deidre was the trip planner and Tim, in his words, the bag boy.  Their many wonderful memories and experiences were created to last an eternity. 

Above all, Deidre was a force to be reckoned with in fighting for the rights, well-being and management of wildlife and the environment. Inspiring others to do the same, Deidre spent days and nights passionately conducting research on issues important to the betterment and preservation of the creatures she believed were gifted to this earth. She was a true warrior for wildlife – especially elk and grizzly bears. 

Deidre died peacefully with her husband, brother Al and close friend by her side Nov. 22, 2019, after a sudden, unexpected heart ailment. She was 65.

Deidre was preceded in death by her mother and father, Audrey and Roy Bainbridge. 

She is survived by her husband, Timothy Tennyson of Jackson;  brother, Alfred (Margo) Bainbridge of McKinleyville, Calif., sister, Jessica James of Ukiah; nieces, Lauren  of San Diego and Hilary of Ukiah; and two rescue dogs, Raven Bainbridge and Sweet Pea Tennyson. 

A celebration of life is being planned for early summer of 2020 to allow friends from both near and far to gather and share stories of Deidre’s life. A donation may be made to the charity of your choice, preferably having to do with wildlife.