Deborah Ann Hoover

Deborah Ann Hoover, age 71, passed away on February 6, 2025, in Canton, Michigan. She was born in Detroit on April 20, 1953, to Clyde and Mildred (Parrish) Soper. The youngest of 4 children, she was raised in Detroit until age 12 when she moved to Dearborn.

To cherish her memory, she leaves behind: grandson, Winslow Hoover; sister, Beth (Mike) Wheelock; nephews, Dennis Wheelock and John Hannink. She was preceded in death by daughter, Erin Hoover; parents, Clyde and Millie (Parrish) Soper; stepmother, Bunny Soper; siblings, Constance Hannink and Dennis Soper; nephew, Gary Wheelock. In the family, it was tough to decide whose laugh was loudest — Gary’s or Debbie’s.

She held a close family-like relationship with Winslow’s adoptive family, the Beesley’s (parents: Kelly and Mike, and 3 sisters: Madison, Alexis, and Kara). When Erin was in middle school, Debbie also acted as a Mother figure and later “Gramma Lady” to Erin’s best friend, Laurah and her children. Laurah lovingly nicknamed her “Miss Lady,” which was the nickname that all of Erin’s friends would call her well into adulthood.

An agnostic, slightly left-of-center Democrat, Debbie enjoyed the company of all kinds of people. She didn’t exclude or disrespect people, even when she didn’t agree with them. She was loving and tolerant of even the most difficult people which made her personality an excellent fit for her public-facing role as an optician.

She was big and tall and loud. She spent a lot of time at Best Buy and loved to gamble. She kept her hair permed way into the 90’s. She had a special way of making people feel loved, and she was undeniably lovable. She was honest and had a way of making terrible things extra funny. And sometimes -- because she simply couldn’t keep thoughts inside her head -- she would blurt things aloud in ways that were weirdly endearing and rarely offensive.

From a very young age and throughout her life, she was under the watchful and loving care of her big sister and forever best friend, Beth. At the age of 12, their Mom died. Soon after, Clyde married a woman named Bunny, who took on a mothering role to her. At age 15, she became Aunt to Dennis and then again at age 17, to Gary. Even if she didn’t have a lot of money, she loved to indulge the kids’ wish lists for birthdays and holidays.

When Debbie graduated from Edsel Ford High School in 1971, with Bunny’s encouragement and despite Clyde’s misgivings, she attended Ferris State College. It was here she completed her optician certification training, which became her lifelong career. She was passionate about her work and found fulfillment in assisting others.

In 1973, she started her first job in the optical department at Montgomery Wards in Detroit. After a sad breakup, she transferred to the Muskegon location, to make a new start. It was here that she met Erin’s Father, Richard Hoover, whom she married in 1978 and a year later, Erin was born. After Richard and Debbie's divorce, she and Erin lived with Beth, Mike, Dennis, and Gary for a few years before the two moved into their own house in Dearborn Heights.

Shortly after the move, she started working at Co-Op Optical in Dearborn. She loved her co-workers like family, especially Donna, Faye, and Valerie. She served as treasurer in the optical worker’s union, which allowed her the benefit of traveling to out-of-state conventions where she could meet new people and have fun.

Always liking guys on motorcycles, Debbie dated occasionally and discreetly but it was never in a way that interfered with her parenting. Her independent, feminist, and positive approach to life inspired Erin to choose single motherhood (mostly) unafraid.

By high school, Miss Lady’s home became the safe haven for Erin’s friend group from school (Laurah, Erica, Rachel, Corinne, Jenny, Kimberly, Carole). The friends filled the home with laughter, dancing, and singing. She welcomed them each with a hug and lots of "aww honey” empathy as they flopped onto her green couch to share the woes of their early teenage girl lives. She didn't judge and rarely gave advice. Instead, she listened and accepted them for who they were. Later, when Erin expanded her relationships to another friend group from work (Kelly, Cheryl, Mary, Jen), Debbie allowed them to throw loud parties.

Debbie had many friends and was impressively attentive to each of them. She had relationships that spanned decades such as with Diane Elwartowski, Diane Koon, and Linda Previch. And she made friends with the moms of Erin’s friends which created a whole family-like community for Erin. These were some of her closest friendships and included Rachel’s Mom, (Gina), Kelly’s mom (Cheryl), and Mary’s Mom (Jill). They formed a network of two generations of friends and family that Erin called her “village” when Winslow was born. Debbie and Winslow would count on some of that village a great deal after Erin died at 39, and she began experiencing dementia symptoms. She also attended regular gatherings with a group of 16 women who called themselves the “Bunco Babes” (Gina, Marianna, Betty, Anne, etc.)”

Her outgoing personality made her a beloved friend to those who knew her. She was the queen of small talk and could form meaningful connections and friendships wherever she went. May all who knew her be comforted by the memories of her kind heart, vibrant spirit, and generous nature. And may they all not be subjected to hearing the song “Amazing Grace” at her memorial because Debbie strongly disliked that song. A gathering to celebrate Debbie’s will be announced at a later time.