Deborah Leona Schooley

Deborah Leona (Proskey) Schooley succumbed to a severe, inoperable brain bleed and passed away the 24th of November 2025 at approximately 12:15 in the morning at Trinity Health Center (formerly St. Joe’s) in Ypsilanti, MI. An extremely brief amount of time elapsed from the moment she started displaying symptoms to the moment she passed. Because of this she, gratefully, did not suffer.

Debbie was born on March 31, 1953 at 11:59 p.m. in Pittsburgh, PA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Margaret (Peggy) Proskey, and her older sister, Mary Ellen Matthews.

Debbie is survived by her 3 sons, Matthew Lee Schooley of Milan, MI, Jacob John Schooley of Ypsilanti, MI and Brent Adam (Cherie’) Schooley of Greenville, SC. She is also survived by her sister Linda Evanoff, brother Mark Proskey, brother David (Lori) Proskey and sister Lisa (Troy) Helton; and many other family members and friends.

Debbie had a very happy and sheltered upbringing, living close to a large family. She moved to Ypsilanti, MI in November of 1969 where she attended St. John’s High School but graduated from Ypsilanti High School after St. John’s closed it’s doors right before her senior year.

Debbie’s kids were the most important part of her life, and she enjoyed participating in activities that her boys took part in, such as soccer, wrestling, hockey and band, especially being part of the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps with Brent. She wasn’t a sports fanatic, but did the best she could coaching soccer, mostly with Jake’s teams, tolerating all 6 years that Matt wrestled and learned to like hockey.

After being an at home mom for 15 years, she got a job at Creative Health Products where she worked for over 36 years. CHP and the Donoghue’s were like a second family for her, helping her get through some struggling times after going through divorce. She enjoyed getting to travel for business, especially with her coworker Robin.

Debbie also enjoyed working with Youth For Understanding hosting exchange students from Denmark, Germany, Brazil, China, Sweden and Finland. She started with Mads Sandager Rønnedal, who became a good friend and very much so another son. Mads even invited her and Jake to his wedding in Denmark (which they accepted) She has always claimed it was the best wedding she ever attended.

Anyone who knew Debbie knew what a wonderful woman she was. She was a very independent and active woman who made a positive impact on almost everyone she met, most of all her 3 sons. Her sons would be nowhere near the men they are today if it wasn’t for that woman (or as Brent would say, “Lady”). This has all so sudden and difficult to believe and it is tearing her sons up inside. She was the rock in many people’s lives and the glue that held it all together. Deborah Leona Schooley… You are deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

A memorial luncheon in Debbie’s honor will be held at St Matthews United Methodist Church 1344 Borgstrom Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 on December 20th, 2025 from 2:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.