Debra was born November 23, 1952, to Wanda Josephine (Née Oczachowski) and Richard Bond “Dik” Pritchard in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Known as ‘Debi’ to family and friends, and “DeeDee” to her grandchildren, she married the love of her life, Thomas William Calhoun, Sr. on October 8, 1977. Tom and Debi reared three loving children in Des Peres. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Tom of 42 years and their children; Thomas William Calhoun, Jr and the best daughter-in-law Emily (née Buck), Erin Elizabeth Meckfessel (née Calhoun) and the best son-in-law Douglas, and Mary Catherine Calhoun; her five beautiful Calhoun grandchildren, Desmond Dennis, Henrik William, Felix Christopher, Josephine Mae, and Juliette Marie. Debi is also survived by her loving sister Pamela Matiovics and her half-sister, Penelope Sue Hase and Aunt Evelyn Graben, as well as many loved in-laws and a bevy of nieces & nephews.
Debi attended The University of Wisconsin - Whitewater earning a degree in Medical Technology. Debi commenced her medical career with Milwaukee’s Deaconess Hospital and later moved to Homewood, Illinois, in 1975 where she worked at St. James Hospital. Debi first volunteered and then was employed by St. John’s Mercy as a phlebotomist, helping save and treat countless lives.
Debi volunteered extensively in many organizations throughout her lifetime, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, The Susan G Komen Foundation, and the Forsythia Garden Club. Debi held presidency of the Mother’s Club at St. Joseph’s Academy and an active member of Chaminade Prep and Ursuline Academies.
Always on the move, Debi enjoyed playing golf, tennis, gardening, playing Mah-jongg and traveling internationally as a couple. But nothing beat time spent with her family. Debi was an avid Cardinal fan as well as a proud “One Share” owner of the Green Bay Packers. GO PACK GO!
Services: Friends may greet the family on Monday, January 27 at Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church, 401 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131, from 10:00 am until time of funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery, Kirkwood, MO.
Memorials to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul appreciated.
