It’s been 12 years and I still don’t want to let you go all my best memories are with you. So much has happened since you’ve been gone. I have two daughters. 5 and 7 months  their names are skie and Paris I love them so much I just hope I can give them happiness and comfort like you gave me I strive to be someone you would be proud of everyday and I never told anyone how it hurt me how u were the only person I really had in my life you were more then just my grandma you were my idol. Your loving heart and care for animals and people was great to grow up around having so much negativity around me and you were the light I love every day for you and I can’t wait to see you again missing you love your granddaughter Isabelle

In loving memory of a wonderful caring fun beautiful woman, Debbie Secrest. We will love you and miss you always.

I thank God that this amazing woman came into our family.  She loved and gave so much to all of us.  It was like she had always been a part of our family.  My children became her grandchildren and she gave my son a love of birds and gardening that he will always remember.  She brought so much joy to my dad at a time in his life when he needed it most.  She showed him how to live and enjoy all of the things he worked so hard for.  The food...oh God the food!! The tasty cocktails on the back deck in the summer time, the completely over the top decor at Christmas, Halloween, Easter and any other holiday that gave her a reason to outdo any neighbor for miles around.  The mother that she was to whoever needed one, including myself.  I will remember her as my mom, not as a "Step-mom".  She has touched so many lives in so many ways and I pray that while she watches over us she knows that every day we will love her and miss her dearly.  Debbie, I love you.

We wish so much to have been able to be there to offer our support.  Our love and concerns go out to you Wayne in your loss.  You are ever in our prayers.  Deb was a joy even tho we spent so little time together.  Seek comfort in the Lord for only there is real care for the burdens of the heart and soul.  Most of all don't be a stranger, we care, Norm & Deb.

I thank God upon every remembrance of my dear friend Debbie.  She was the quintessential woman although hardbitten by life long before meeting me.  For the past almost 8 years that we knew each other, this was the Debbie I came to know and cherish:  Whenever a loved one was sick, she gave him and/or her the best of nurturing care for as long as it took, even when it had to be herself (she was a doctor's dream patient); when a chick or dog needed a home, it got one, along with the best vet care, food and toys money could afford; if it was a bird, she found its favorite seeds, made the suet herself and had Wayne rig up the bird bath so there was water all winter, and with a camera and tripod got herself a whole new hobby of backyard bird photography; if it was a flower, she knew how to make it bloom prettier than anyone else; if it was a vegetable garden, she knew how to take care of it from having Wayne rototill the ground and ordering the best seeds to caring for it til harvest and then on to canning and freezing all that produce; if it was a dinner or a party, you got the best food you ever had and had the best time and memories of your life; if it was a bonfire she had the hotdogs, smores and fixins for campfire pies, along with some funny or scary stories, and stayed out with you til one of you found a shooting star; if it was a girls' shopping outing, she knew where to get the best deals for the best-looking clothes, and where to get the best seafood salads and Arnold Palmers when it was time to take a break; and that's not even the half of it!  She loved my brother and it was such a kick to watch the two of them work as a team living life to the fullest.  Theirs was the cutest house on the block in Ferndale even before they put out the cutest decorations inside or outside at any Christmas or Easter; then, even when she was sick and having too many bad days, tell me they did not move to a home in Lapeer that hadn't been lived in in two years, and within 6 mo., it had the best-looking yard in the area, was totally redone inside and she had even more bird feeders, bird houses then ever, and yet another grand vegee garden!! Yes, even then, she was able to keep up with Wayne and together they never stopped what they started in Ferndale...they discovered all the tree-canopied dirt roads, fainting goats, found the paint horses and fields to let Brindle and Cody run in, visited antique shops, went to a Memorial Day parade, attended summer farm and hot air balloon fairs, and even had an all-out grilling cook-out with ribs,steak, chicken, corn on the cob and all the other stuff too. Doctors and nurses just shook their heads in disbelief when they learned how prepared she was for the holidays--home and yard decorated, presents all bought and gift-wrapped, coffee cakes and cabbage rolls made, etc.  When I shared some of this with a counselor, she said, "Wow! She's someone who loves life!" Debbie leaves us the best kind of legacy: To live a charmed life, learn to do your best each day to invite beauty to surround you,thus creating the best life possible for yourself, your loved ones and all who God brings into your life. I am forever grateful to have been one of those!!

OBITUARY

Deborah Secrest

April 24, 1954 – June 23, 2011

Kaul Funeral Home

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