IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Debra Kay
Irwin
March 9, 1960 – October 30, 2016
Obituary
"Let there be space in your togetherness, and let the words of the heaven dance between you." (Khalil Gibran quote)
Debbie was born to Tom and Charlene Irwin, in "the great state of Oklahoma", in the city of Bartlesville, on March 9, 1960. Debbie was raised by her mom and her grandparents, Opal and Clyde Asa Hand. They shaped her into the strong, hard-working, independent woman that she had become. Throughout her life, she wore many hats . . . from ranch manager to outpatient surgery administrator to science teacher, but she was most proud of her roles as mother to Ryan Kay and Zsa Zsa to Fallon Kay or "Snitznoodle" as Debbie often called her. Fireworks and pure pleasure are the only words to describe Debbie's relationship with her husband, Joe Clinkenbeard.
Very early in her life her artistic ability was identified and it was nurtured by her family. Thus was born a lifelong love of creativity and the arts. To the benefit of us all, her love of bringing joy to others through her talents continued. She was eager to inspire this love of the arts with her daughter Ryan Kay and granddaughter Fallon Kay. She was always willing to create: from bulletin boards at school to award-winning Christmas trees for the annual Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art, to beautiful works of art for herself, family, and friends.
Debbie attended school in Oologah, Oklahoma, as a self-described rebel and reluctant follower of rules. Her perception of others was "spot-on" and her friends could rely on her ability to see the reality of any situation. She was well aware of injustices, large and small – a "straight shooter". She was a listener . . . never responding until the speaker had his say. She was also a spinner-of-tales extraordinaire. She could tell a story like no other, ensuring that the listeners were convinced of her truth.
She was loved by all, due to her open nature. All who interacted with her felt valued. Every child was called "Lovebug" by her. To Debbie, there were no class distinctions . . . "Everyone's the same", she said. It didn't matter to her where you came from, what you had, what you knew. Debbie understood, more than anyone, that we have been created equally – that there are no distinctions . . . we all have value, we all have worth. She energized us . . . bestowing the exact thing that you needed, at that moment. We were in awe of her . . . the way that she drew people in, made us part of her life, and made each one of us feel that we were the most special person, to her, at that moment in time. Debbie never silently entered a room. You knew she was coming way before she crossed the doorway. We ask ourselves: "How can this life force be absent?" The answer: it is not. A life force this strong cannot disappear; she will always be here with us, where she is needed.
Debbie selflessly devoted years to the loving care of her mother, Charlene. She was committed to the idea that mental illness should be looked upon without stigma, and only with love, acceptance, and tolerance.
We know that you have already made reservations for your dream trip to Barcelona, so that you can visit the Barcelona Cathedral. Debbie always said, "I'm not religious but I'm spiritual." If your life was touched by Debbie, it is clear that you will feel a great void without her, even as her spirit surrounds us . . . always.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Debra Kay Irwin, please visit our flower store.
Services
Celebration of Life Funeral Service
November
3
First United Methodist Church
Starts at 10:00 am
Debra Kay Irwin's Guestbook
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