Debra J. Matheny Hobbs of Traverse City, Michigan (formerly of Brighton, Michigan and Wooster, Ohio) passed away on Saturday, July 19th surrounded by John, her husband of 52 years, and their three children. Debra was born on May 24, 1952 in Clarksburg, West Virginia to the late Raymond and Lucille Matheny.

Debra spent her childhood in Wooster, Ohio and was a 1970 graduate of Wooster High School. Upon her marriage to John in 1973, the couple relocated to Rockford, Illinois where their three children were born and their Palau Parkway friend circle formed, a group with whom Debra would remain lifelong friends. In 1986, Debra, John, and their children relocated to live in Ditzingen, Germany. While living in Europe, she and the family traveled to Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Italy, Hungary, Belgium, England and Scotland. In 1988, Debra and her family moved to Brighton, Michigan, where she would embark on her career in Early Childhood Education. With her leadership and dedication, Debra touched the lives of many colleagues and Brighton area families as the former Assistant Director of Tot Spot. After retirement and the birth of their first grandchild in 2013, Debra and John moved to Traverse City.

Music was a lifelong passion for Debra, beginning in childhood, when she was selected for the Wooster All City Elementary Choir. As a teenager, she was a member of Wooster High School's Senior Choir as well as a vocal trio that performed throughout Wayne County. Debra was a member of the Livingston County Women's Chorus for fifteen years and was honored to have had the opportunity to collaborate with many renowned musical groups including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Her commitment to the arts extended to the broader community through her volunteer work with Interlochen Center for the Arts, TC Philharmonic, and City Opera House. She will be fondly remembered for the beautiful harmonies she made with family members and those talents she passed to her children and grandchildren.

Debra is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Lucille Matheny, her sister Joyce, and brother Raymond. She leaves behind her husband John; her three children and their spouses: Angela (Luke) Blair of Traverse City, Ryan (Sofia) of Ann Arbor, and Trevor (Katy) of Brethren; six grandchildren (Sylvia, Lucy, Mary, Cameron, Oliver, and Luca); three living siblings, Bill (Bette) Matheny of Bend, Oregon, Judith Miller of McMinnville, Oregon, and Pamela (Vince) Giffin of Wooster, Ohio; nieces, nephews, and many close friends, all of whom will remember Debra for her love and pride of her family, as well as her remarkable ability to make dear friends and support them with her listening ear, gift for gab, and contagious laughter.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, September 19th, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Kirkbride Hall (700 Cottageview Dr Suite 200, Traverse City, MI 49684). The space will open at 11:00 AM for gathering, with the memorial service beginning at 11:30 AM, followed by a reception. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may honor Debra with a donation to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Debra's family on her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com