Posted: 07/15/09

Debbie Curey, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away after a second battle with breast cancer at St. Peter's Hospital on July 12, 2009, surrounded by her loving husband, daughters and family members.

Debbie was born on Oct. 23, 1948, in Helena to Archie and Norma Jean (Kohl) Breneman. Debbie grew up in Helena on West Main Street with her two brothers and many close friends. She attended Helena High School and married her high school sweetheart, Dennis at Plymouth Congregational church in Helena.

Debbie and Dennis were an amazing representation of what a married life should encompass. Inseparable and completely devoted to each other, they spent an incredible 43 years together. They had just celebrated their anniversary on June 24, 2009.

Debbie and Dennis have belonged to the Helena Street Rodders Car Club since 1983. They own a 1924 Model T Hot Rod and traveled around to different locations including Canada and many western states. They formed lifelong friendships while members of the car club, and enjoyed many happy years with this hobby they shared.

Debbie enjoyed camping with her daughters, Marcie, Stacey and her close girlfriends. At least once a year they all gathered at the Tillo Cabin or Carlson Cabin for a weekend full of food, cards and socializing. We hold many memories of these treasured events dear -- the laughter being the most notable. An example of Debbie's tireless dedication to her family and friends is the 40-foot cord attached to her kitchen phone. The cord stretched from one end of the house to the other while she checked in with her daughters and friends.

Debbie was a dedicated wife, mother and homemaker. Her entire married life was happily dedicated to caring for her loving husband, children and home. She had a remarkable ability to touch people with her quiet nature, always listening and always nonjudgmental. Everyone in life is given a special gift, a talent, something that is unique just to them. Not everyone is fortunate enough to realize what that gift is. Debbie realized her special gifts and used them to enhance the life of the people she loved the most in this world.

She was an amazing cook and a talented artist. Her waffle cookies will remain unmatched and her artistry with ceramics and crafts was astounding. She had a remarkable talent to arrange, grow and care for her beautiful flowers, she fully enjoyed her backyard patio and loved to relax in her lawn chair with family and friends. Debbie also loved to play cards with her many dear friends, many pots of coffee and hours upon hours of card games and laughter. The most amazing quality Debbie possessed by far was the ability to love and nurture her husband, two daughters and three granddaughters unconditionally. She had a deep connection with her three granddaughters, Taylor, Tiana and Tyra Johnson. The three girls were the light of her life.

Walt Disney said, "Somehow I can't believe there are any heights that can't be scaled by a man who knows the secret of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C's. They are curiosity, confidence, courage and constancy and the greatest of these is confidence. When you believe a thing, believe it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably." Debbie believed in her three granddaughters with her whole heart and soul, and her impact on them will live on in them for the rest of their lives.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Dennis of Helena; her daughter, Marcie Curey of Helena; daughter, Stacey (Gil) Johnson and granddaughters, Taylor, Tiana and Tyra Johnson, all of Bozeman; her brother, Chuck (Colleen) Breneman of Fort Collins, Colo.; brother, Al Breneman of Darby; aunt, Barbara Hamilton of Helena; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, close family friends and her beloved dog, Baby.

Debbie was preceded in death by her father, Archie Breneman; and mother, Norma Jean (Breneman) Jemmett.

A memorial service celebrating Debbie's life will be held at Jeff and Carolyn Battershells' residence, formally known as Frontier Town on Friday June 17, at 1 p.m. A reception will follow immediately after the service. Frontier Town is located at mile marker 28, Highway 12 West on MacDonald Pass. Interment will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Retz Funeral Home.

When God takes something from your grasp, he's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive another special gift.

Memorials in Debbie's name are suggested to the Cancer Treatment Center of St. Peter's Hospital at 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. The family would like to acknowledge and show their appreciation to Dr. Weiner and his staff at the Cancer Treatment Center along with the 3rd floor oncology staff at St. Peter's Hospital for the loving and outstanding care Debbie received during her illness.