In childhood, she was a Rainbow Girl and Girl Scout, played the piano and violin, and loved animals. After graduating from Jefferson High School in 1953, she pursued a degree in accounting at Indiana University, where she pledged Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. She was in multiple honor societies, on the Arbutis Yearbook staff and on the IU Foundation. After graduating from college, she went on to get her CPA in 1984 and worked in the field until she was 81 years old.
Debbie was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, a lifetime Indianapolis Colts season ticket holder, and loved playing bridge. In the community, she volunteered at Indy Feral Cat Organization and was a donor for the Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and YMCA Camp Tecumseh.
Debbie was predeceased by her husband of 32 years, Charles H. Marlett. She is survived by her daughters Karyn Vanarsdall (husband Gerald) Barrett, Dawn Vanarsdall Troke, and Amy Vanarsdall (husband Richard) Glover. She was grandmother to Jacqueline Troke, Colleen Troke (husband Aaron) Haynes, Evan and Ian Glover, and was a great grandmother to Kyla Shelladay. She was stepmother to Kurt (wife Terry) Marlett and Lisa Marlett, and a step grandmother to Amanda Marlett. Immediate family will have a celebration of life on February 27th. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Indianapolis Zoo or American Cancer Society.
