Debra was born in Bellevue, Ohio to the late Louise (Bigham) and Daniel Helber. Mother to daughter Lindsey (Oliver, daughter Eve) Appelbe (née Morgan) and step-son Charles III (Tammi, children Jack, Max and Ella), and wife to the late Charles Gripton Jr. Sister to Joan (Thomas) Richmond, Kent (Helen), and Diane (Lionel) Hess. She is additionally survived by several nieces and nephews.
She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1972 and pursued a degree in Psychology with a minor in French from Capital University, Columbus, Ohio. She later pursued a masters in business. She had a successful career with The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command as a Program Manager.
Debra was a master “to-do” list maker; a lover of animals and many cats made their home with her, including some neighborhood ones; a passionate gardener and green-thumb, always humbling Lindsey; a lover of books, especially Stephen King and Anne Rice; a feeder of backyard birds and keeper of fresh birdbath water; an avid concert goer; a loyal friend; and a thoughtful soul who never forgot to send a birthday or holiday card filled with a warm sentiment, a piece of gum, cartoon, and a dollar bill. She will be immensely missed.
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