Debra Marie Steele

On July 3, 2026, perfect love and grace carried Debra Marie Steele into the presence of God. Her dimming light in this life was replaced with the radiance of Peace. Debra was sixty-nine years of age, born in Plainfield, New Jersey and took flight to her new beginning with God from Littleton, Colorado.

At the age of fifteen, (15), she left New Jersy on her own and moved to Colorado. She continued her high school education at Littleton High School while at the same time attending Woodlawn Beauty College, in Littleton, Colorado. She received her diploma in Cosmetology in 1975 and that same year she received her High School Diploma from High School. That year she launched her business in Cosmetology that took her into a forty-eight-year career. Her business was under Ms. Steel Hair Design and Custom Hair Coloring, Inc, and she always had Poka-Dot business cards. Oh, how she loved dots!

Debra married on October 5, 1976, and she divorced on January 3, 1978.

Debra Steele was curious, determined, strong-willed, feisty, an out of the ordinary funny girl, which loved to learn new things. For that matter, she always wanted to learn more about anything that interested her. There were times she was the great adventurer and enjoyed taking risks, but even then, she stayed a steady course in her life that would keep her moving forward.

She loved gardening, yet how she loved it when people gave her flowers, which always made her smile ear to ear. Discovering a new interest, she landed with a gifted photographer teacher and guide. She began traveling and taking more and more photos, applying what she had been taught that developed her talent. She found beauty in the small, often overlooked part of the world as well as the grandeur of the giants that stood obvious. Through most of her career as a Stylist she took numerous continuing education courses throughout the country. She became a skilled and talented Colorist and loved the magic of science in seeing what would happen in a certain blend of colors for a client.

Debra Steele was a motivated learner. If she didn’t know something, she researched the topic by reading, going online, or by talking to those who knew about the subject matter. She did this with anything that grabbed her attention. Honestly, she researched everything to the nth degree. Areas such as understanding the financial world, vehicles, appliances, camping, the camping community, legal issues, computer purchases, all were researched. No matter what she was interested in she researched it, even if it took several months to years to understand it all. Once she knew enough, she either made the decision to move on because it wasn’t worth it, she had lost interest, or she purposefully made it a part of her life.

Debra could be disarming and charming at the same time. She would speak her mind, not accept excuses, but would also offer a listening ear and show genuine care. Debra was complex. She could be stubborn, needing to be in control while at the same time she was truly altruistic. She engaged in feeding the homeless, volunteered for a nonprofit that did events to raise money for various other nonprofit organizations. She was ready to bring a meal for someone who was sick. Debra would help where needed and loved the opportunity to meet that need to be around her gift of cooking wonderful culinary recipes; many that she grew up on.

Those who knew Debra know this to be true. Debra made men more handsome, women more beautiful with her mastery of Haircuts and color. She would often complete her artistry on her client with these words, “You look simply Marvelous, darling!”

Debra Marie Steele is survived by her brothers KIRK STEELE, MARK STEELE - sisters JOANNE MARY STEELE, DONNA CLANCY – nephews CHRISSY GREY, JOEY GREY, SEAN CLANCY, DANIEL STEELE, RYAN STEELE, JAMES & JUSTIN POWERS.

Debra Steele was preceded in death by her father, JOSEPH RICHARD STEELE – mother, ANNA JENNY PUNTORNO – sister, DIANE STEELE EASTON.

Debra, you will be missed, for you were loved by family and friends.

Rest and be blessed in your newfound freedom.