Deborah M. Marois

Deborah Maureen Marois, 63, of Traverse City, was unexpectedly called home to glory on Oct. 25, 2019. Deborah was born Feb. 28, 1956 in Grand Rapids, daughter to Rufus and Antoinette (Bastiaens) Yount.

Some of Mom's earliest and happiest memories were of times spent at her Grandma and Grandpa Yount's near Mesick, swimming and fishing in Grandpa's trout pond and playing with beloved cousins. Mom was a hard worker, never doing anything halfway. She always did things properly, even if it made for a more difficult task. This commitment to excellence could been seen in every occupation she held. Mom worked for a number of companies over the years, always in a detail oriented, managerial type position that called upon her excellent organizational skills, finally settling into bookkeeping, a field she loved because numbers were always black and white and had a right and wrong answer. She proudly called herself a bean counter. Most recently Deb had been employed by The Resource for Great Programs and consulted for NMEAC.

Mom loved to make people laugh with her dry and mischievous sense of humor, owed largely to her dad, Rufus, whom she loved dearly. A fan of slapstick and the ridiculous, she took great delight in a yodeling pickle and was so glad to buy grandson, River, his first whoopee cushion. She also learned from her father to always find a way to compliment those with whom she came in contact in her daily life.

Mom loved music and dancing, and while she could not carry a tune in a bucket, she had excellent rhythm and danced in double time, singing joyfully anyhow. Mom took great pride in keeping her home and yard neat, tidy and beautiful, creating an always welcoming and comfortable place for her family and friends. She was a gourmet cook and watched Food Network constantly, never shying away from a new ingredient or recipe. Her salsa and soup skills are legendary, and when entertaining she always went above and beyond in making the event a special occasion.

Mom loved northern Michigan and its natural resources, speaking out passionately about environmental issues that were important to her. One of her favorite places to be was basking in the sun on a Lake Michigan beach, with a packed to overflowing cooler of food and drinks. She always put others first, was always giving to others. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind, inheriting a feisty spirit from her mother, Antoinette, and her tenacity was enviable and admirable, though sometimes embarrassing to her daughters.

Her children were her greatest pride and the joy of her life. We never doubted her love for us and knew she had our backs no matter the circumstance. She taught us all so much: how to spot B.S. from a mile away; to take our own car, just in case; to keep some cash on hand; how to have and be fun; to be capable; to love fiercely; to care deeply; to never doubt our worth; to hold family close and Jesus closer. She is mourned with a depth of grief we didn't know existed. We are taking comfort, though, in the knowledge that Mom is full of joy and health in the company of Jesus, her Savior.

Deb is survived by her husband of 32 years, Roger "Mike" Marois; children, Tonna (Jera) Osko, Kellie (Jason) Parks and Katy (Calvin) Higgins; grandchildren, Devin (Samantha), Danyelle and Delayna Osko, and the apple of her eye, grandson, River Parks; greatgranddaughter, Ella Osko; mother, Antoinette Staal; siblings, Rebecca Yount, Larry Lensing, Pat (Ken) Mansel, Tom Lensing and Tim Lensing; numerous nieces and nephews; and her Yount cousins whom she loved as siblings.
Deb was preceded in death by her father, Rufus Oatley Yount; and stepfather, Aloysius (Luke) Staal.

A celebration of Deb's life will take place at noon Wednesday, Nov. 6, at First Congregational Church, 6105 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686. Consider wearing your favorite dancing shoes in Deb's honor.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wings of Wonder, 13035 Greenway Trail, Empire, MI 49630 or at http://www.win gsofwonder.org/support/; or to Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council, PO Box 1166, Traverse City, MI 49685.

Deborah and her family are being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com