Deborah Jo Mys' Obituary
Deborah Jo Mys, age 71, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2026, while on comfort care. Though her passing came sooner than expected following a courageous battle with health complications from diabetes and kidney failure, her family takes comfort in knowing she is at rest.
Early Life and Education
Deborah was born on May 9, 1955, to the late Nancy Viola Mys and William Mathew Mys. Growing up in a lively household alongside her siblings, she developed a deep love for horses and cherished the time she spent riding them as a young girl. Deborah was also an insatiable reader from a very young age; she simply could never get enough books, and that love of reading stayed with her as a constant joy throughout her entire life. She graduated from McBain High School and went on to graduate with honors from Ferris State University, earning her Bachelor’s degree.
A Heart for the Community
Deborah possessed a remarkably big, giving heart. Her life’s work centered entirely on lifting others up, a quality reflected beautifully in her career. She poured her kindness into her community as a tutor for East Jordan Schools, nurtured young children as a cook at a local daycare center, and opened her home and heart to children in need as a foster parent from 2018 to 2021. She was the kind of person who would take anyone’s call at any time, day or night, offering a listening ear and a safe place to land.
Passions, Travel, and Adventure
Deborah had an untamable spirit and a profound love for adventure and nature. An avid hiker, she spent a memorable chapter of her life living in Alaska, and she was never afraid to simply hit the road—often driving aimlessly for days to go camping in the Upper Peninsula. Some of her absolute favorite places in the world included Cordova, Alaska; Antelope Canyon; Sedona, Arizona; and anywhere in the UP.
Her favorite moments were spent surrounded by stories and the great outdoors. Aside from her beloved childhood horses, she wasn't a traditional animal lover and claimed she only "tolerated" the dogs belonging to those around her—though everyone knew she was secretly the one sneaking them treats when no one was looking. In quieter moments, she enjoyed playing games on her iPad. Her true passion, however, was rock hunting. Deborah would spend hours with her children exploring the beaches of Northern Michigan, searching the shoreline for her favorite treasures, Petoskey stones.
Family and Legacy
Deborah experienced both great love and profound loss in her life. She was married first to William Dukes, and later to Michael Fish. She was greeted in heaven by her beloved infants who passed before her, including her daughter, Sarah Fish, who was stillborn on March 10, 1989. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Phillip Mys, who passed away in 1990.
Her loving legacy lives on through her surviving children: her daughter, Maria Maynard, and her adopted sons, Dean Fish, Aaron Fish, and Jeffery Fish. She will also be deeply missed by her surviving siblings, Alan Mys, Sherrie Quist, and Linda Ellens, alongside many extended family members, former foster children, and dear friends.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Deborah’s honor to The Hope Project, directly supporting her lifelong passion and dedication to nurturing and lifting up young adults in need. Donations can be made using the following methods:
By Check: Mail to The Hope Project, 1516 Peck Street, Muskegon, MI 49441
Online: Follow prompts in the Gift section of their website
Cash App: Cashtag - $hopeprojectusa
Monthly ACH Transaction: Call 231-747-8555 Ext. 22
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