Deborah ‘Deb’ Speer Smith

Deborah “Deb” Speer Smith, 62, of Greencastle, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019 at Mill Pond Health Campus after an 8-1/2 year battle with stage IV breast cancer. She was surrounded by family and at peace, as she left us to join loved ones waiting for her in a new heavenly home. Her amazing fight to stay with those left behind will be an unforgettable testament to her love for us all.

Deb was born in Wyandotte, Mich., in January of 1957. She was the daughter of Vern Dale Speer Jr. and Ruth Greta (Dorkof) Speer.

Deb graduated from Lincoln Park High School, where she was voted homecoming queen her senior year. She then attended and graduated from Michigan State University, with her Bachelor of Science degree. After completing a 12-month residency at St. John’s Hospital in Detroit, she became a registered medical technologist.

Deb spent her working years at two locations. She worked for seven years at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis and 19 years at DePauw University Student Health Services. Deb adored and treasured her friends and co-workers from both positions.

Deb’s favorite pastime was playing in the dirt and mulch with her garden. After completing the Master Gardener program, she devoted lots of her time to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church memorial garden and her many home gardens. She loved to be outdoors and felt closest to God while enjoying the wonders of his creation.

After her diagnosis, Deb developed a strong desire to help others in the fight with cancer and became a staunch crusader for preventive screenings and early detection. She spoke at the Relay for Life events, Survivors’ Day events and breast cancer awareness events whenever asked. She befriended and supported multiple other stage IV friends she made along her journey and helped them as best she could, sharing her medical background and personal experiences.

Deb never gave up on life and even decided to learn to play piano a few years after she was diagnosed. Her time spent at the piano and with her special friend and teacher was a tremendous source of peace for her. She found the mindful focus on musical endeavors gave her relief from other worries of the day.

Deb always made friends easily and was admired by all who came to know her. She was an inspiration to most who knew her and how she courageously and graciously dealt with her long illness. Her faith never wavered and became ever deeper. Deb even felt compelled to give a beautiful homily at St. Andrew’s about her spiritual awareness and “God winks” moments she experienced along her journey.

Her amazing friends will always be remembered and appreciated for the many hours they devoted to driving Deb to and from multiple medical appointments and procedures while generously offering their time, support and comfort.

Deb was pre-deceased by her father, Vern D. Speer Jr., maternal grandparents, Karl and Berta Dorkof, and paternal grandparents, Vern D. Speer Jr. and Ann Speer.

Survivors include her husband, Mark; her children, Laura Smith and Luke Smith (Katlin); and the light of her world, Gabriel, her first grandchild.

Other survivors include her mother, Ruth Speer, and her sister, Doris L. Speer (Roger).

A celebration of life service will be planned for a much later date to be announced. Notification will be given in the paper and through friends and her church family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Deb to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Greencastle.