Debra Jean Sheldon-Hefner

Debbie passed away at the age of 69 at her home in Laton, California after a 10-year battle with Lymphoma.

Debbie is survived by her husband Larry Hefner, who she was married to for 50 years and 364 days. She is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Dorothy Sheldon, and brother Larry Sheldon. Together they had 2 children: Shane Hefner, of Laton, California, and Misty (Randy) Smith of Hanford, California, four grandchildren: Blair (Eric) Mielke of Aurora, Colorado, Blaine Smith of Eastvale, California, Samantha (Joshua) Blair of Leavenworth, Kansas, and Stefan Smith of Eastvale, California, one great granddaughter: Elora Mielke of Aurora, Colorado, sister Judy (Jim) Hawkins of Riverdale, California, and many nieces, nephews, and friends that became her chosen family.

After Debbie and Larry were married, they moved to the Truckee, California area for a few years. Debbie decided she did not like the snow and was ready to move back home to the family dairy and raise her kids with loved ones surrounding her children.

Debbie was a natural born caretaker. She helped care for almost everyone in the family. Most recently it was her parents. While Debbie was living in the home and taking care of her mother, she became ill herself, to the point where she could no longer tend to her mother. Her husband and son fulfilled the promise she made to her mother, which was to care for her in the home until the day she passed.

Debbie was a lover of the outdoors. She would always say, “I’d rather do yardwork than housework any day of the week.” Her favorite time of year was spring and summer. That is when you would catch her outside working in the garden in her swimsuit, that way she was always ready to jump in the pool with her grandkids. Her house was the meeting point for all the kids to come together and stay the night. She had a hand in making all the cousins become each other’s first best friends.

Debbie’s favorite place to vacation was the mountains. She said she could let loose there. She felt free to be “DEB” and do her own thing. One of her favorite activities to do was search for flint/arrowheads. Chances are if she ever took you to her happy place, she took you hunting too. Oh, how excited she would be when she found some treasures. Right into her little medicine jar they went. She was often the life of the party, mingling and talking to everyone she could. You knew exactly where she was too, just by following the sound of her infectious laugh. You might also see her big cup of Shasta soda not far behind. I don’t think Debbie ever met a stranger, just a friend she hadn’t met yet.

Magic was in Debbie’s touch and sunshine was in her smile. There was love in everything she did to make our lives worthwhile. I found both hope and courage just by looking in her eyes. Her laughter was a source of joy, and her words were warm and wise. There was kindness and compassion to be found in her embrace, and I have seen the light of Heaven shining from Debbie’s (my mom’s) face.

Death is like a natural thing

Like the closing of a door

As we start upon a journey

To a new and distant shore

So let your grief be softened

And yield not to despair

You have only placed your

Loved one

In the loving father’s care.