Debra Kay Hyet

HYET, Debra Kay
of Mattawan, Michigan Lost her courageous battle against pancreatic cancer Saturday, December 15, 2012. She was born September 19, 1955 to Carl and Bernice Metz Hoeksema. She was proud to have lived in the small town of Pearl, Michigan before moving to Portage, Michigan at the age of 10. Debra was a 1973 graduate of Portage Central High School. In 1990, she began working at Mattawan Schools, starting in the high school cafeteria, moving to the Later Elementary as the "Detention Lady" and eventually becoming the secretary of the Later Elementary. She was an integral part of her school family, loved by staff and students. Debra enjoyed baking and was always trying new recipes, filling bookshelves with various cookbooks she collected along the way. She was passionately dedicated to her family and always looked forward to the next gathering whether it was craft shows with her sisters and cousins, or margaritas by the pool. Her grandchildren were the lights of her life, and she was incredibly devoted to them. She enjoyed her get-togethers with her special group of friends called the "gnomes," having watched movies, played cards and laughed with them for several years. Debra had an incredible sense of humor, making those around her laugh often, even throughout her illness. She was an incredibly strong woman who never complained once about any hand she was dealt. She took everything head on and was a true inspiration. Debra was preceded in death by her mother, Bernice Metz Hoeksema. Surviving are her children, Lisa Daniel Hyet-McLain of Lawton and David Hyet of Decatur; father, Carl Carol Hoeksema of Scotts; grandchildren, Mahalia Hyet, Eleri McLain and Rian McLain of Lawton; sisters, Judy Ed Britten of Mattawan and Karen Brent Phillips of Mattawan; step-brother, Mark Kathy Mastenbrook of Schoolcraft, step-sister, Kimberly David Westrate of Comstock, several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and special friends. Services will be held 11 o'clock Saturday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel. 3926 S. 9th St. Friends may meet the family 5 -8 pm Friday at the chapel. Private interment will take place in Central Portage Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Debra may be made to Rose Arbor Hospice or Pancreatic Cancer Research at www.pancan.org .