Deborah "Debbie" Rae Woodard

Deborah Rae Woodard "Debbie”, age 69, of Zion, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2026, surrounded by the love that defined her remarkable life. Born on January 21, 1957, in Waukegan, Illinois, to the late George and Bernice Harding, Debbie grew into a woman whose warmth, strength, love and generosity touched every life she encountered.

Debbie grew up in the Zion area and graduated from Zion-Benton Township High School with the Class of 1975. As a girl, her first pet was a dog named Rusty, the beginning of a lifelong love of dogs that would follow her throughout her life. On April 8, 1978, she became a mother to her son, Anthony, a role she embraced with both tenderness and a loving authority she never relinquished, no matter how grown he became. Five years later, on April 30, 1983, she married James "Jim" Woodard, the man she lovingly called the greatest guy in the world, beginning a partnership overflowing with devotion, warmth, and laughter that kept their bond ever close.

Those who knew Debbie knew a woman whose resounding laugh could turn the rainiest day into pure sunshine. She was the master of margaritas, and you could always count on finding one in her hand and another being pressed into yours. Her home was a sanctuary. It was a place where party games filled the evenings, where deviled eggs appeared on every occasion, and where ice cream sundaes and a never-empty candy bowl satisfied every sweet tooth that walked through the door. No matter who you were or where you came from, Debbie made sure you felt like family.

She was always beautifully put together - a flawless manicure, her signature lipstick shade, and never a hair out of place. She loved getting pampered, going on lunch and dinner dates with Jim, her sister Vicky, her brother-in-law Steve, and close friends. Ever frugal in her own delightful way, she was known to plan her Hobby Lobby trips around the store's discount days. Her passion for scrapbooking, shared with her sister Vicky and dear friends, was more than a hobby; it was her way of curating and preserving the stories of generations. She was her family's biggest fan, faithfully cheering them on at every sporting event and competition throughout the years.

Known affectionately as Deb, Debbie, Mom, Grandma, Aunt Debbie, and Gigi, she wore each name proudly. In November 1996, Debbie became a grandmother for the first time when Timothy was born, a role she embraced with fierce tenderness. Her family grew to include four grandchildren and a great-grandchild, earning her the cherished title of GiGi in 2023. Her grandchildren knew her as a wild-child grandma, a safe space free of judgment, and someone whose memories of her life could make hours feel like mere minutes. Through her stories, her strength, and her example, Debbie shaped generations of strong, stubborn, and heart-strong people. She crafted a legacy of resilience and love that will carry forward through every life she touched.

She had an extraordinary gift for listening, a selfless nature that compelled her to drop everything to be at your side and was her family's fiercest advocate. She and Jim traveled across the country together, and she carried that spirit of adventure into everything she did. She was also devoted to her little dog, Brinnie, who could do no wrong in her eyes.

She is survived by her beloved husband, James "Jim" Woodard; her son, Anthony Christian (Jennifer); her sister, Vicky Myers (Steve); her grandchildren, Timothy, Mikayla (Tyler), Kyle, and McKenzie; and her great-grandchild, Theodore; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was

preceded in death by her parents, George and Bernice Harding; her brother, William "Bill" Harding; and her sisters, Sandra Milanich and Donna Patton.

Debbie's faith carried her through life's seasons, and her family takes comfort in knowing she now rests in the loving arms of her Lord, reunited with those she loved who went before her. She leaves behind a legacy of fierce love, boundless generosity, and a laugh that will echo in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her, her radiant spirit shining on in eternity.

Celebration of life details will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to PAWS Chicago or your favorite charity.