Debra Jean (Jolley) Peterson

Debra Jean Peterson (née Jolley), beloved mother, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at her home in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was 50 years old, two weeks from turning 51.

Debra was born October 12, 1973, in Idaho Falls to parents, Boyd and Verla Jolley. She grew up in Firth, Idaho, which was just a little too small to contain her liveliness and spirit. Debra attended Firth High School where she was a cheerleader for the Firth Cougars. Infamously, she devised a scheme with some of her fellow cheerleaders to steal onto the football field of their rival school. In the dead of night, they spray-painted the field, the goal posts, and anything else they could get their hands on in Firth’s school colors. Emblazoned on the front page of the news the next day was “Firth Rocks, Schelly Sucks!” in mischievous handwriting. They meant to write Shelley, for the record. Even after getting caught and being made to clean up her crime, she still had the guts to approach the supervising rival coach to open the cleaning supplies. Her pranks continued throughout her life, both large and small, and without which the world would have been a much duller place.

To follow her dreams of helping people, Debra received both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Social Work—from Brigham Young University and the University of Missouri, Columbia, respectively. She believed strongly in education, encouraging the academic and personal pursuits of all her children. She truly believed that you could do anything you set your mind to. Debra was a licensed counselor, and she particularly loved working with young people. From her work as a juvenile probation officer to her current job at Answers LLC, a mental health clinic, she demonstrated a love for people and an innate generosity.

Debra was adventurous, charismatic, and quick-witted. She made friends all over the world. Her love of travel resulted in her visiting at least a dozen countries. The warm ones were her favorites, though.

Debra is survived by her mother, sister, brother, and of course, her five children: Hannah (23), Hailey (21), Cole (18), Collin (14), and Bella (14). They want to express their love for their mother and the hope that she can experience even more joy in the next life than she did in this one.

She will always be remembered.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 7, 2024, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services.