Debra Jo Cleary

A 1972 graduate of Putnam City High School, she also graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing and worked as a RN, then earned her Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Oklahoma in 2013. She was currently employed at Variety Care where she worked as a RN.

Known to her family as “Debbie,” she was an advocate for animals, especially dogs. She was so compassionate and always looking out for the person or animal who needed extra care. She did this in her nursing career for so many years. She helped so many through her compassionate spirit and even lent a hand many times to help pay a bill that someone couldn’t pay or feed a dog whose owner was stuck in the hospital.

Her love for life was contagious. She loved being a foster dog-mom alongside her husband John who took in many dogs over the years and gave them a loving home. She loved her son, Tony with all her heart and was so very proud of him. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy and her title as Memaw, her most endearing name. She was so proud of her family and loved the grandchildren more than life itself. She loved watching Lola dance, and Vince and Lucy excel in their sports. She will be deeply missed in the stadium, the gym, and the ball field but will have the best seat from heaven now. She will be deeply missed but her family takes great comfort in the promise of heaven and know she is now rejoicing in the arms of Jesus.

Survivors are: husband John Cleary of the home; son Tony Yanda and wife Kimberly of Yukon; grandchildren Lola, Vince, & Lucy Yanda of Yukon; sister Kathy Rhodes & husband Bob of Oklahoma City; niece Tara Hendricks and husband Trent of Piedmont; nephew Toby Rhodes and wife Stacie of Edmond; great nieces and nephews Madison, Molly, and Michael Hendricks, and Presley and Roman Rhodes; cousins who were raised with Debbie like sisters: Martha Wilder and Shirley Wolfram both of California; stepson Clay Cleary and wife Heather of McCloud and their children Kerstin, Kaytlynn, Skyren, and Lorelei.

Visitation will be held at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Oklahoma City on Monday, January 8th from 6:30-8:00 pm.

A celebration of life will held Thursday, January 11th at 2:00 pm at Chapel Hill Funeral Home.

Donations may be made in Debbie’s name to: Angel Fund OKC

Call Woodlake Animal Hospital to donate to the Angel Fund OKC, call: 405-721-6604; mail check: 1359 Willow Dr., Choctaw, OK 73020; donate online: www.angelfundokc.com