Deborah Marie Glaefke
December 17, 1955 - October 29, 2016
Anyone who has ever met Debbie has instantly loved her
She was born Deborah Marie Okler in December 1955, became Deborah Marie Hancock in January 1974, became Mom in June 1974, became Deborah Marie Glaefke in August 1991, and Grandma in October 1994.
Deborah, at age 60, unexpectedly passed away October 29, 2016 at Providence Hospital in Everett, WA. She was the daughter of Richard and Marilyn Okler and the oldest sister to Cheryl, Craig, and Thayne. For a brief time, she was the wife of Glen Hancock and became a mother at the early age of 18 to Trista and 19 to Shauna. Finally, she was the soulmate, best friend, lover and wife of Larry Glaefke.
Debbie is survived by her husband Larry, her 2 daughters Trista Hancock (spouse Trina Arnold) and Shauna Hammer (spouse Brandon Hammer), her 2 step daughters Amy Jackson (spouse Ron Jackson) and Ashley Tizeno (spouse Jeremy Tizeno). She had 6 grandchildren Shelby Leathers, Teylor and Gage Hancock-Stevens, Parker and Jaxx Hammer, and Sophia Jackson.
She is also survived by her dad Vernon Smithson, sisters Cheryl Williams and Thayne Westerman, and brother Michael ‘Craig’ Okler.
Deb had a loving personality and children were always drawn to her. They could either see the sparkle in her eyes or her tongue sticking out at them. She enjoyed saying the alphabet during a long burp for kids; she loved introducing the ‘pincer bug’ to their little ring fingers … and giggled mischievously when they would laughingly say “don’t” while handing their fingers over to her.
While all families experience strife, Debbie was the one person that got along with everybody. She loved her sisters dearly and was extremely proud of her daughters and grandchildren.
Debbie loved traveling with her husband; her favorite place outside of Montana was Costa Rica. She loved camping in the summer with her family and was known for manning the griddle and poking the fire. She loved gardening and took great pride in her yard. She loved animals, especially her kitties (Chester, Cashmere, Pretzel, and Mitzi). She enjoyed assembling puzzles and playing games like Uno, Skip Bo, Mexican train, Rummy, Nuts, and Yahtzee.
She loved her sweets but was particular about them – Red Robin had the best mud pies, Butterfinger blizzards made with chocolate ice cream, chocolate truffles from Costco, and Slurpees (she swore they were the best thing for a sore throat). She always kept popsicles and Otter Pops in the freezer for herself and any kids that came over.
Anyone who has ever met Debbie has instantly loved her. Deb will be greatly missed by all who knew her and will never be forgotten.
But…you should know her love story before you go:
Debbie’s friend Lisa convinced her to go on a blind date with her brother in law Larry. When he finally called her for the first time, they talked for hours on the phone. They met a few nights later for their first date, risking life and limb to drive through ice and snow to meet at the Lynnwood Red Robin. When she returned home that evening she told her daughters that he was ‘the one’. She had never truly believed in love at first sight until that night. She has always sworn that he is her soulmate and that she recognized him the moment she saw him. Anyone who has ever spent time with Debbie and Larry have witnessed (and possibly envied) the love that is evident between them. They are the truest definition of best friends and lovers and have been a role model to their children, nieces, nephews, and countless others as to what is possible in this life.
Memorial
memories
We've shared our lives these many years.
You've held my hand; you've held my heart.
So many blessings, so few tears –
Yet for a moment, we must part.
The memories you've given me
are times I've shared with my best friend
I'll hold them, Love.
Right here they'll be until we share our lives again.
T.C. Ring
Mom Lived Her Life for Love of Friends and Family
Mom lived her life for love of friends and family,
Neither asking for nor wanting a return.
Her days became a sunlit homily,
With others' joy her joy and main concern.
When we were ill, she also became sick;
When we were cut, she, too, began to bleed.
Of our oil lamp she was the wick,
Drawing her bright flame from our need.
Some say that such behavior's out of date:
That self-fulfillment is the way to grace.
But Mom, without much choice, then chose her fate,
Finding greater truth in an embrace.
She lives on in the sparkle in our eyes:
Laughing, quiet, gentle, loving, wise.
Author Unknown