Deborah Howland of Marshall, passed away on July 19, 2024. She was born on June 4, 1952 to Leroy and Jennie Turbett (Kopas) in Detroit, Michigan. She was a gifted student, Girl Scout, and athlete, actively competing in team sports, skiing, and canoe racing. After graduating from Lee M. Thurston High School in Redford, she went on to the University of Michigan and graduated in three years with a degree in mathematics. Deb married her husband Ron in 1982.
Deb worked in accounting for Ford Motor Company for many years and most recently as the Deputy Clerk for Marshall Township. One of Deb’s great gifts was sewing, and while living in New Jersey in the early 80s, she was commissioned by VIP Fabrics to create the “finished product” prototype for their catalogs. Because she also was raising four children, she would work very late in the night to finish sewing projects. By day, she often would use her children as models and teach them sewing basics.
Deb did not let late-night sewing stop her from cooking a hot breakfast for her family most mornings. She loved to plan menus and try new recipes. She had perfected traditional Polish recipes passed down in her family and could coordinate a Thanksgiving dinner like few others.
Deb was a caretaker of many, including her mother Jennie whom she moved in with her family when Jennie experienced partial paralysis. Deb immediately learned to use a Hoyer lift and other medical equipment to allow Jennie the highest quality of life for her final ten years. Deb provided this extensive caregiving while also raising the last two of her four children, who were still at home.
Deb rarely took time for herself, but when she was able, she made a point of meeting with a few of her especially close friends from childhood, college, and early days in her career. Deb loved her extended family and made many well-executed road trips to visit family in Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, California, Nevada, and Colorado. Debbie did some foreign travel and was especially taken with Aruba. Predictably, when she visited any new place, she returned wanting to try to make the food she had eaten there.
Deb was the best grandmother to her seven grandchildren and gave them way too much ice cream while also working with them on handwriting, reading, baking, and eventually direct grandmotherly advice.
Deb is survived by her husband Ron, her four children Cassandra (Greg) Hunt, Geoffrey (Lillian) Nagle, Carrie (Jared) Yellin, and Laura (Jefferson) Howland, grandchildren Clayton, Thomas, Wesley, Jonathan, Nellie, Marvin, and Ofelia, her sister Geraldine McGreevy, sister-in-law Nancy Childs, brother-in-law Arthur (Sally) Howland, Jr. , brother-in-law John (Rachel) Howland and close cousin Sharon (Larry) LaGrange, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father Leroy Turbett, mother Jennie Turbett, brother-in-law Pat McGreevy, nephews Christoper Harris and Thomas Harris as well as close friend Annette Blanzy.
In lieu of flowers, Deb’s family requests donations to Agnus Dei Lutheran Church or toward a fund established for her grandchildren’s educational funds. Please see https://deborahhowlandmemorial.com for additional donation details.
Viewing will take place at Kempf Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM (family and friends).
Services will take place on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Agnus Dei Lutheran Church (719 E. Mansion St. Marshall, MI)
Burial will take place on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Ft. Custer National Cemetery 15501 W. Dickman Rd., Augusta MI)
A reception will take place on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall, Michigan 49068. www.kempffuneralhome.com
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
5:00 - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)
Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services
Thursday, July 25, 2024
12:00 - 1:00 pm (Eastern time)
Agnes Dei Lutheran Church
Thursday, July 25, 2024
2:00 - 2:30 pm (Eastern time)
Ft. Custer National Cemetery
Visits: 1309
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors