Deborah Susan Arnold

It is with profound sorrow that the family of Deborah Susan Arnold (nee Block) announces her passing on September 25, 2025. Born to Nancy and Robert Block on February 19, 1962, in Champaign, Illinois, Debbie spent all but the first year of her life in Norman, Oklahoma. She attended Norman High School and the University of Oklahoma, where she completed an undergraduate degree in Business in 1984 and earned a Juris Doctor in 1987, both with honors. Debbie believed that academics should be pursued with maximum effort and discipline, and her perfect grades reflected this. She was an extremely accomplished student who, upon receiving her law degree, said, “Three years? I could have been a dentist.”

After graduation she began her career in litigation and, while talented, she did not particularly enjoy the work, or attorneys for that matter. Debbie left corporate practice in 1994 to manage Associated Metallurgists, alongside her beloved father Robert “Bob” Block, with whom she worked for almost 27 years. Together, they filled their office with witty banter, NPR, and rescue sparrows.

Despite her disdain for lawyers, she married her law school classmate Shawn on March 4, 2001. During their marriage, Debbie and Shawn traveled, attended concerts, theater and opera events, and made one another laugh out loud. Debbie enjoyed adventures and Shawn enjoyed making Debbie smile. She loved all types of music but never appreciated her own fine singing voice.

In 2002, Lily was born and completed Debbie’s life. She delighted in Lily’s curiosity and innate kindness, tirelessly working to ensure that Lily had every opportunity to succeed. She instilled in Lily the values of hard work, independence, integrity, and loyalty. The two were inseparable and Debbie was fully present at every academic, athletic, and personal achievement. She was so proud to attend Lily’s graduation from William & Mary this year and watch Lily graduate with honors.

Debbie’s hobbies were mostly private and centered around her home. She was an outstanding cook who loved to feed people but was a reluctant host. With Shawn’s support, her gatherings were always relaxed and full of laughter. Lily’s friends often asked when they could come over to enjoy one of Debbie’s home-cooked meals and signature cocktails. When asked to share a special recipe, Debbie often declined, believing some things were meant to be ephemeral.

Debbie was a devoted shade gardener who spent hours in her yard observing the changes of the season. She loved white hydrangeas and dried the largest blooms every summer so that she could enjoy their beauty during the fall and winter months. She took joy in the owls and foxes that visited her yard, and marveled when migrating monarch butterflies chose her trees to rest for an evening. Debbie valued the natural world closest to home; she saved bats and lizards and cried when ailing trees were cut down. She cherished her French bulldogs and delighted in their quirky behaviors. Although she was uncomfortable in the show ring, she trained them herself, and all were AKC champions. True to form, Debbie was able to learn and excel in a new skill quickly.

Those closest to Debbie felt honored to be counted among her friends. She did not tolerate boastful or unkind people, holding herself and others to a quiet but unwavering standard of integrity and kindness. She was most at ease in the company of her adored sister Jennifer and brother Jake. During those times, the repartee and laughter filled the house. While distinct personalities, they always fully supported one another. Big sister Debbie considered Jennifer and Jake her best friends.

Although Debbie was deeply loved by many, she often joked that it was babies and animals who understood her best. Like the honeybee she was named for, Debbie was radiant, industrious, fierce when necessary, and devoted to her family. Deborah Susan Block was a true mensch. She has gifted her family every tool necessary to replicate her path. Her smile simply lit up the room. Debbie was the best of us.

She was predeceased by her parents Nancy and Robert Block and survived by her husband Shawn and daughter Lily; brother Jake and his wife Melanie, their sons Owen and Wyatt; and her sister Jennifer and Cary Lamb.

Those wishing to honor Debbie’s memory may donate to the Wild Care Foundation. A memorial celebration will be held on the weekend of November 15th, 2025, at a location to be determined.