Debra “Debbie” Lynn Tromblee (Holt), 68, of Port St. Lucie, FL, formerly of Marshall MI, passed away on June 15, 2021 in Port St. Lucie, FL, due to complications from her long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Debbie was born February 5, 1953 in Marshall, MI, to George and Dorothy (McClain) Holt. The second of three children, Debbie attended Marshall High School before going on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University. As the only sister with an older brother (John), and younger brother (William “Bill”), Debbie found solace in her lifelong, sister-like relationships with her cousin Mary Jean (McClain) Hoffman, and friend Karen Maurer Gieske.
In 1981 Debbie married Jon D. Tromblee, with whom she had a son and daughter, and welcomed two step-daughters, eventually settling in Coloma. After the birth of her second child, Debbie devoted her time to raising their children. Though she didn’t have a “job” in the traditional sense, Debbie made use of her time and skills by volunteering as a PTO and Band Booster officer, Girl Scout and 4-H leader, and chaperone on too many field trips to count. After her son graduated from high school, Debbie wasn’t ready to leave the band program, so she stayed on as the assistant to the director for nine years.
Anyone who knew Debbie knows she loved to create. From arts and crafts with the kids, to sewing, quilting, and photography. She especially loved photographing birds, her favorite being hummingbirds. In her later years she became involved with several lifelong learning institutes, taking, and occasionally teaching, classes related to bird watching and photography. Hardly a day would go by without new bird pictures being posted to Facebook for everyone to enjoy.
Debbie is survived by her brother John Holt, sisters-in-law: Doris Holt and Melissa Holt, former husband Jon Tromblee, children: Josh and Sarah Tromblee, step-daughters: Tonya Tromblee and Kyra Campbell, nephews: Mykl Holt and Michael Howard, many cousins, and special friend Karen Mauer Gieske. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Dorothy Holt, and her brother William “Bill” Holt.
Visitation will take place from 12-1 p.m. on Sunday, July 11, 2021 at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 U.S. Hwy 27 N, Marshall MI 49068 with a memorial service taking place at 1 p.m. Family will be gathering with friends following services for a potluck dinner at the Fredonia Township Hall, 8803 17 Mile in Marshall. A private family interment will take place at Oakridge Cemetery on Monday. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at www.kempffuneralhome.com.