Obituary of Deborah Ann Renaud
Deborah Ann Jordan was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan on June 27, 1955. She was the eldest of six children born to Joseph Omer and Barbara May (Salmonsen) Jordan. Debbie attended Catholic primary school before graduating from Sterling Heights High School with the Class of 1973. She continued her education at Monroe County Community College where she attended business classes. As a young woman, Debbie tended bar to provide for her three children as a single mother. She also worked at Four Star Greenhouse in Carleton, Michigan where her green thumb was put to good use. Later in life, Debbie took to the skies as a flight attendant for Pinnacle Airlines. She thoroughly enjoyed her time in the clouds before retiring in 2017 after a decade of service.
For a short time, Debbie also worked at Ford Motor Company’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant where fate put her in the path of the love of her life, Paul Renaud. The couple wed in the living room of their home on April 20, 2018. The house had been a longtime source of pride for Debbie. She kept her landscaping lush with flowers every season. Known to her friends and family as “Debbie Clause”, she loved Christmastime since she was a little girl. Every November, her home transformed from a typical house into a winter wonderland. Every ordinary décor item was taken down and replaced with a bright, shiny Christmas decoration.
Debbie could always find a reason to celebrate. Her birthday couldn’t possibly be contained in one single day, therefore the month of June became known as Debbie’s birth-month! Nearly every weekend and all summer long as a child, Debbie made her fun at her family’s cabin on Long Lake in Hale, Michigan. She also enjoyed traveling to Mexico where her family vacationed on Isla Mujeres off the coast of Cancun. Debbie had a deep appreciation for Hispanic culture and particularly the Day of the Dead celebration, where deceased loved ones are remembered with brightly colored flowers, dancing, and elaborate costumes.
As long as Debbie had a Jim Beam and Diet Coke in one hand and a “left-handed cigarette” in the other, she considered it a party. Debbie was just as happy snuggled up in a comfortable chair watching her favorite television programs. She often tuned into the History Channel and Discovery Channel as well as “Big Bang Theory”, “Blue Bloods”, “The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch”, and reality shows such as “Below Deck”, “Naked and Afraid”, and “The Curse of Oak Island”. Debbie was also very well read. She counted Stephen King, James Patterson, and Dean Koontz among her favorite authors.
Although she cooked mostly out of necessity, Debbie’s family always looked forward to her delicious spaghetti, biscuits and gravy, and beef stroganoff. A loving wife, mother, and the best nana ever, Debbie ensured her family was well taken care of. Outgoing and friendly, she always had a warm, welcoming smile for anyone who crossed her path. Thoughtfulness and consideration of others was second nature for her. Debbie had the outspoken glamour of Zsa Zsa Gabor paired with a genuine, kindhearted soul.
Deborah Ann Renaud, age 68, of Newport, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Thursday, December 28, 2023. Her passing was preceded by her parents and her brother: Matthew Jordan.
To cherish her memory, she leaves her husband of six years: Paul Renaud; her three children: David Carman of St. Claire Shores, Michigan, Ashley Jordan (Jeremiah Dawson) of Sylvania, Ohio, and Edward “Eddie” Carman of Monroe, Michigan; her “adopted” daughter: Alisha (Brandon) Wittersheim; her step-daughter: Samantha (Matt) Beavers; seven grandchildren: Emily Baron, Christian Adamski, Ella Dawson, Isabella Wittersheim, D.J. Wittersheim, Sawyer Beavers, and Lydia Beavers; her sister: Elizabeth (Ron) Buehler; three brothers: Michael (Callie) Jordan, James (Tammy) Jordan, and Joseph (Laura) Jordan; and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Deborah’s Life will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024. The time and location are to be determined. Debbie’s care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. Cremation has taken place at the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation, of Erie, Michigan.
Memorial donations in honor of Deborah may be made to the Children’s Tumor Foundation care of “Team Emily Nicole” at https://join.ctf.org/fundraiser/4849194. Debbie herself was a gracious donor to the foundation on behalf of her first grandchild, the one who first graced her with her favorite title: “Nana”. Online guests may leave words of comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com
