Debra A. Wolfe, age 63, of Helena

Welcome to the Debra Jennings Wolfe memorial museum. Please take your shoes off before you reach the mat. Debra made that rug herself from fabric remnants. She had a special flair for creating finely-crafted items from the humblest materials.

This entire room is decorated with Debra’s art. Her early pencil sketches, from the realist period, are on this wall. She would continue in this style when creating cards for her kindest correspondences. These are but a few. Handle them carefully; they’re precious and on loan.

Turn to your right. Here we see the early forays into magical realism. As you may have already noticed, no two walls are the same color & none are white. Debra chose these herself. One might wince at these wild hues on paper, but as you can see they are a revelation of warmth & light in a home.

Look above the hearth… The style begins to shift here. At age 25 with two children, Debra launched her formal education. She commuted sixty miles one way to classes. Deb’s husband and greatest admirer, Lee Wolfe, would make extra time for the children, Sarah & Alex (ages 5 & 3, respectively). She was exposed to various new influences and inspirations at the College of Great Falls. Debra read the novels of Isabell Allende and studied: biology, philosophy, and the law. She graduated at the top of her class with a bachelor’s degree. Deb later completed a master’s degree at the University of Montana. She taught her precious children the merits of education, in the finest fashion: by rigorous example.

This final wall… as you can see is representational art. Note the use of color again. We can come back. I smell something delicious; let’s walk through to the cafe’. Debra was a wonderful cook & gracious host. Her menu is composed of unique healthy dishes, prepared by hand. Let’s all have a warm slice of bread, a cup of coffee or glass of wine. No charge, naturally.

If you’re all feeling sated, let’s move on to the bedroom. Watch your step. This is an exact replica of the little basement room that Debra shared with her beloved sister Kathy, on a farm north of Malta, MT. Only one year apart, the pair shared everything, even their space. Get cozy. Would a few of you be kind enough to stand on the stairs? We’ll fit better. These sisters were loved, but as many miles from spoiled as they were from town, nearly 25 miles. Those were miles on dirt roads, mind you! They shared a love of reading and for writing & learning everything possible about the world outside their chilly walls. We keep these walls lined with books, as they would have been then. Both sisters would build careers one letter at a time. Kathy became an educator;  Debra, a formal legal writer.

It was impossible to keep these sisters from bursting into song, at the slightest provocation! This old musty room is where Debra would first teach herself to play guitar. Back upstairs everyone, that leads us to our next stop.

Up, up, up! I am right behind you. We are headed to the music room next. This is my favorite. You will notice the religious iconography. She performed every Sunday, at mass and was heard for many years in the sanctuary of St. Mary’s Church in Helena, MT. Debra was one of the few cantors who could lead the congregation alone. On special occasions she would sing the “Ave’ Maria” in Latin. Parishioners would lean in, moved to tears before Deb sang the final verse. As she would often quote, “To sing is to pray twice.”

If we’re all quiet, we can hear actual recordings of Deb playing & singing. This is a garage band that she founded about a decade ago with six friends and fellow musicians. The band’s name was “Green Needle Grass.” These are Debra’s actual guitars. Please touch! We keep them in tune & encourage friends to play. She never saw music as a special talent and loved to share the experience. She inspired a few young musicians to greatness and more to goodness. Deb believed everyone should sing. That didn’t stop her chiding if you were off key!

Down the hall, you will pass the dance studio & exercise room. If you don’t mind let’s skip through to the gardens. It’s time for a drink, and it’s a beautiful day.

We will conclude in the garden, with the ‘Flower Tour’, enjoying Debra’s favorite plants. Joggers, please keep to the right on the path & make way for the rest of us to stroll. Some of you may be staying on for the horse ride this afternoon. A toast, everyone: To Debra! May you ride free under the biggest of skies with a song in your heart!

Debra Jennings Wolfe was born on May 7th, 1960. She passed away November 5^th, 2023. She is preceded in death by her mother, Madaline Itcaina (nee Carter) and father, Dixie Jennings. She is survived by her husband: Lee Wolfe children: Sarah Wolfe Alex Prince-Wolfe Alexsa Prince-Wolfe. Sister: Kathryn (Steve)Plettenberg; brothers: Jack (Kelly) Williamson and Milo (Ira) Jennings. Nieces & nephews: Loriane Maves, April Bogy, Lucy Williamson & Harper Williamson, Max Jennings. She will be missed by scores of other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to psp.org.

Service Schedule

Vigil

6:00 p.m.

Tuesday November 14, 2023

St. Mary Catholic Community

1700 Missoula Avenue

Helena, MT

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Funeral Mass

12:10 pm

Wednesday November 15, 2023

St. Mary Catholic Community

1700 Missoula Avenue

Helena, MT

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Rite of Committal

Wednesday November 15, 2023

Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery

7100 N. Montana Avenue

Helena, Montana

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