Deanna Rose Aughenbaugh, age 82, of West Bloomfield, passed away August 14, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Charles III. Loving mother of Charlie IV (Laurie) Aughenbaugh and Michael (Claudia) Aughenbaugh. Cherished grandmother of Kate, Chase, Charlotte and Ian. Dear sister of Cheryle Helka.
Born in Cairo, Illinois, Debe was the first member of her family to graduate from college. To her final day, she maintained close friendships with three of her best friends from Alma College, Sue Wisler, Dorothy Sundeck and Linda Nolan. Shortly after graduation, she began teaching in an elementary school and married Charles Aughenbaugh. A few years later, they began their family and Debe stopped teaching to raise her two sons. Later, when her youngest reached middle school, she returned to public school education, this time as a teacher’s aide at the high school level in the Walled Lake School System.
Debe was an extraordinarily devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was the glue that bound her family together through good times and rough ones. She asked little for herself and never stopped trying to teach, support and please her two boys. In later years, her grandchildren received the same tireless devotion, integrity and love…if a bit less discipline!
Maybe her greatest non-family joy was the annual “Girls Week” trips Up North. These ladies were the dear friends who shared daily lives in the Westacres subdivision. They included Jan Alflen, Joann Jensen, Marty England, Bonnie Darling, Nancy Jones, Shirly Batalutz and others.
Despite the pain caused by life-long scoliosis, three different back surgeries and bad knees, Debe had long since learned to carry on with strength, never losing her beautiful smile and joy for the people she loved.
In mid-March, while under family-imposed quarantine in her home, Debe fell and fractured her hip. Seeing her wheeled out to the ambulance, her boys would have never imagined that it was the last time she would be in her home of 50 years. The ensuing hospitalization led to her fourth back surgery. The next four and a half months were spent between the hospital and two different rehabilitation facilities. In a tragedy of COVID-19 regulations, they were terribly lonely months.
While an unjust end to her life, the kindness, unassuming warmth, respect and generosity she offered to all those who crossed her path over the years will be remembered and admired for much longer than the final five months. In the end, both of her sons were again at her side, holding her hands in the final hour.
Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 30, 2020 from 2:00pm until 6:00pm at Deanna's House, 7381 Honeysuckle Road, West Bloomfield.
Flowers may be sent to Michael's House, 5358 Midchester Court, West Bloomfield or Charlie's House, 7143 Buckthorn, West Bloomfield anytime before Sunday.
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