Deborah Jeanette Lindsey

Deborah Jeanette Lindsey, 69, of Louisville, KY passed away at her home on Sunday October 2, 2022 after bravely managing pancreatic cancer for more than three years. Born on November 9, 1952 in Owensboro, KY to Dr. John and Jeanette Lindsey, she was preceded in death by her husband, James McIlvain (Mike) Riley III, and her sister, Peggy Lindsey. She will be lovingly remembered by her son Dr. Nicholas McIlvain Riley (Shannon); her sister Barbara Lindsey Winans (Pete); brothers Joe Lindsey (Linda) and John Lindsey; mother-in-law Bette Riley; brothers-in-law Dr. Mark Riley (Jane) and Pat Riley (Karen); sister-in-law Amy Summers; nieces and nephews; extended family; and many dear friends. She was known by Debbie to some and Deb to others, but was cherished by all.

After completing her B.A. in secondary education from the University of Kentucky and her Masters in Secondary Education from Western Kentucky University, Debbie taught high school in Jefferson County Public Schools (Louisville, KY). She became a systems engineer with IBM, and then a project manager and director of workforce development grant funds with Louisville-Jefferson County Metropolitan Government. Throughout her career, she made many lifelong friends that will also cherish her memory for years to come.

Debbie was a kind, strong, and graceful woman who cared deeply about the people around her. Although she was devoted to helping others through her career and was proud of her accomplishments, the greatest source of joy in her life was her husband Mike (married 31 years before his passing) and her son Nick, of whom she was immensely proud. She lived a life full of adventures outdoors, traveling to see family and friends, attending and watching many basketball, football, and baseball games that she loved, and cultivating flowers in her garden. Additional talents included skills as a seamstress, baking many delicious desserts, and playing musical instruments like the oboe and saxophone that she mastered in her younger years (although she chose Color Guard over band during her days at UK). Throughout her journey with pancreatic cancer, she focused on the words “Acceptance”, “Adventure”, and “At Peace” to help her manage both the good and challenging days. Regardless, she kept a smile on her face and a positive attitude that radiated out from her and was noticed by all she encountered. That warmth will be one of the things we will miss most about her.

Debbie will join her husband Mike in a cremation bench in a private family inurnment that will be held at Cave Hill Cemetery at a later date. Her life will be celebrated by her friends and family on Saturday November 12.

In lieu of flowers, Debbie asked that friends and family that wish to honor her memory do so through donations to the Waterfront Botanical Gardens in Louisville, which she loved and took visitors to every chance she had:

Donation in memory of Deb Lindsey

Waterfront Botanical Gardens

PO Box 5056, Louisville, KY 40255

If you would prefer to donate in her memory to help those managing pancreatic cancer, you can do by giving to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) through this website: http://support.pancan.org/goto/deblindsey