Deborah Ann Sladek

Debi Sladek, born Deborah Ann Jean in Lansing Michigan October 18th, 1954 entered eternal life on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Her spirit is carried on by her husband Edward Sladek, son Kevin Hill (wife Kimberly, children Jack and Lily) five siblings, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life. She will be reunited with her parents Harold and Francis Jean, husband Keith Hill, sister and brother in law Walter Newberry whose role in her and Ed’s life was immeasurable.

In 1973, she graduated from Eastern High School. In 1978, she began work at a medical practice soon after the birth of her son Kevin. Her husband then and father of Kevin was Keith Hill. Keith was a great husband, father, CPA and an excellent golfer. The future was full of promise but Keith became sick from diabetes. Debi took the disease head on as Keith’s caregiver and as she does with everything, remained contagiously positive. Also determined, when Keith was confined to a wheelchair and much lifting was required, she began strengthening exercises. She didn’t let her tiny frame limit her ability to lift that wheel chair or Keith. Keith went on to outlive all doctors' expectations, most likely due to Debi’s love and diligence. He passed away in 1995, the only time Debi’s positive optimism would turn to sadness, but not for long.

She went on to fill her time helping others as she always did. She helped her son Kevin with anything life could throw at them. Through good times and bad she remained an eternal support system to him that will never be forgotten and will forever be missed.

She truly loved people. When her neighbor Embry began to have problems of his own, she took it upon herself to help him, which she continued to do for the remainder of her life. She became aquatinted with an Amish community in need where she volunteered the medical services of the office she worked for. She experienced such joy in caring for others; she would seek out those that she knew were lonely and take them to dinner. She made regular visits to cemeteries to help maintain the graves of those whose spouses were unable to take care of them. She often dropped blankets off and donated clothing to a group of homeless people who were living under a bridge. She developed a passion for rescuing dogs and opened her home many times to dogs who needed a warm place to sleep.

In 2011 Debi married Edward Sladek, a co-worker of 33 years and most importantly her best friend. Ed gave her the happiest life she could have ever imagined. Together they enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. They didn’t go on vacation because as they would say, every day was a vacation. Pleasures like grilling out, riding around old neighborhoods, taking the golf cart around their property to see the new growth of flowers, bushes, fruit trees and her favorite apple blossoms. They enjoyed feeding the deer even after the police told them not to.

She found a way to make friends with anyone and everyone who came into her life - waitresses, cashiers, patients, etc. She was routinely generous finding ways to convey her appreciation for them. For example, at a restaurant, Stillwater grill, she thought their landscaping needed flowers, so she gave some to the manager. After making friends with him, as she always does, they dedicated a booth to her and Ed, even branding the table with their name.

Debbie cherished spending time with her grand children, Jack Henry and Lily Anna. She enjoyed planning fun filled days for them to spend together. Sundays were special to her as that was when they came to visit, swim and play. At age 50 she taught herself how to swim so she could join them in the pool. She always had cupcakes and surprises for the end of their visit.

Like her father, Harold, she made sure Christmas was a day filled with joy, happiness and of course toys, books and love. She worked hard to make each Christmas more magical and memorable than the last.

Traditions that Jack and Lily will remember and treasure always. Six year old Lily often declaring “Grandma fills my heart full with love”

By sharing her light, she made so many lives brighter and better in so many countless ways and will be missed beyond compare.

If you would like to honor Debi, in Lieu of Flowers perhaps a random act of kindness, rescue a dog, brighten someone's day, clothe the homeless or feed some deer (unless the police are watching).

Special thanks to the compassionate staff of Butterworth hospital for their support and assistance.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am Thursday, May 12, 2022 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes Lansing Chapel, 900 E. Michigan Ave. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00-8:00pm Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

www.grlansing.com