Deborah Lee Rock, a longtime Boulder resident, was born May 13, 1952 in Flint, Michigan, to Bob and Virginia Rock. Bob and Ginny met when they were just 15 and stayed sweethearts until their deaths much later on.
Debbie was the oldest of six kids who grew up camping, fishing, hunting, snowmobile riding and everything outdoors. They were gardeners and hunters, mushroom finders and flower growers.
She graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1969 from Alpena High School in Michigan, and married Jerry Reed while a senior in high school. Her daughter Sherrie was born Mar. 25, 1971; her daughter Windy followed on Apr. 20, 1973. Debbie was baptized a Lutheran and for several years wore matching polyester pantsuits and taught Sunday school.
Debbie divorced Jerry, and her gypsy life began, a young single mother traveling around the United States with her girls. She later married Dale Arlint in Helena, and he was the best Dad and friend possible for the girls.
Debbie loved music, and was even in live Broadway performances in Denver, in which she shone. She was very creative and would embroider her daughters’ clothes and also embroidered for others to help ends meet. She wore many hats for work — waitressing, bartending, working on oil rigs in Wyoming, as a security guard in Colorado and a flagger in Montana, and owning restaurant (the What’s Next Café) for a bit on Rodney Street in Helena.
Debbie was a wild spirit who loved music, Harley rides, wind in her hair, sunbathing, her sister friends and her family. Debbie loved deeply and she truly accepted and loved people for who they are, and she has always had a great number of friends anywhere she went. She was incredibly proud of her daughters and grandchildren.
Debbie left us due to a motor vehicle accident on May 1, the anniversary of her Mother’s death exactly ten years ago. She always missed her Mama. She was preceded in death by her parents; her Great Auntie Dee; her Grandma Reynolds; her brothers Donny and David; a sister, Cindy Kenneda; and her former husband, Dale Arlint. She loved them all so much.
She is survived by her children Sherrie Opitz (Bill) of Helena and Windy (John) Siegmund of Thompson Falls. Also surviving her are brothers Dale (Sandy) Rock and Dennis (Nancy) Rock; all of her beautiful nieces and nephews; and her grandchildren, Skyler (Denise) (Enly) Angove, Rainbow Angove, Aurora Angove, Fauna Reed, Violet Opitz, Max Opitz, Orion Ford and Jett Ford. She was blessed with one great-granddaughter, Alove Harper.
Debbie will be greatly missed by all that loved her. We believe she is received in Heaven by her Lord and her beloved family and is happily holding hands with Dale.
