Debra Jean Grande

Debbie Grande—beloved sister, mother, daughter, and wife—escaped the surly bonds of earth in the early morning hours of Thursday, October 29. She is now present with her Lord and Savior, joining her father Joseph (aka “Pa”) and her “Daddy Phil” in eternal celebration. She is survived by her mother Ruth, her husband Tom, her son Beau, and her three brothers Donald, Joseph, and James.

Debbie was born in Denver in 1951. At age 13, she informed her parents that she “had her basics” and was ready to live on her own. Her parents were able to convince her otherwise, and she stayed with them until after high school, where she graduated having received the prestigious Treasurette Certificate of Honor her senior year. She briefly attended Colorado State University, a school she insisted on calling her alma mater even though she attended for only one quarter. In 1970, she married Tom, a young marine who had moved in across the street. Debbie and Tom celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2020.

Debbie and Tom owned their own business for over 26 years, for which she was a consummate bookkeeper. Although she didn’t have a college accounting degree, Debbie’s self-taught accounting and bookkeeping skills rivalled those of many CPAs. After retiring from the business, Debbie continued to apply her talents by serving as the primary bookkeeper for two churches in Arizona. At the time of her passing, she was employed as a bookkeeper at a third church.

Debbie loved Jesus, her family, her dog, and her home, although not necessarily in that order (but Jesus is clearly first). She also loved the mountains of Colorado, especially Summit County. Once her husband—who enjoys a miraculous and tenacious ability to cling to life—finally joins her in the great beyond, her ashes will be mixed with his, and together they will be scattered in the waters of the Blue River in Silverthorne, Colorado.

A family-only memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, November 7.