Deborah Ann (Shireman) Cardin

January 29, 1953 – May 31, 2024

Deborah Ann Shireman Cardin joined her husband, Ted Cardin, in Heaven on May 31, 2024, after suffering from complications of brain aneurism surgery in Tampa, Florida. She fell into the 1-2% of patients who experience complications. She lived as an original and passed away as an original.

Debbie was born January 29, 1953, in Perry, Oklahoma. She was the fourth child (third daughter) of Betty and Marion Shireman.

When she was just 16 years old, she met her best friend’s (Sandy Cardin) brother, Ted Cardin. The rest, as they say, was history. Ted and Debbie were married September 5, 1970, and had their daughter, April, in July of 1971. Debbie held several different jobs in Perry, but the one that she enjoyed most was being a mom. (And she was the best mom.) The paying job that held her the longest was being a cafeteria lady in the schools. She had more than a few kids call her “Mom,” “Grandma,” or “Aunt Debbie,” even though they were not related in any way.

In 1993, Debbie’s dream of becoming a grandma came true when her only grandchild, Taylor Addington, was brought into the world. Taylor was the highlight of Debbie’s life. Debbie was the grandma who spoiled her grandchild with toys, clothes, and games, but most importantly, she gave her unconditional and pure love. If you asked about her granddaughter, you better be prepared for an hour-long conversation.

In 2010, Debbie and Ted moved to Florida to be with April, Kevin (April’s husband), and Taylor. As expected, Debbie made friends immediately. While she hated the heat and being so far away from family and friends in Oklahoma, she loved being with her “girls,” and they loved being with her. Debbie was known for many things. Among them was her whistle that let every kid in the neighborhood know that it was time to come inside, her fried chicken and chocolate cake that often brought about unexpected guests for dinner, and her ability to decorate and redecorate the house to make it look homey and comfortable. (There was always “a spot” somewhere on the wall for that treasure that she found at the thrift store or garage sale; and how a 5’2” woman was able to move furniture around like she did, we could never know, but she did it often.) What Debbie was best known for, though, was her ability to make every person she encountered feel special. If you were her friend, you were her friend for life. She had an aura of kindness that surrounded her, and she never met a stranger.

Debbie is survived by her brother, Tom Shireman, her three sisters, Linda Oberholzer, Marilyn Ewy, and Karen Martinez, her daughter, April Addington, granddaughter, Taylor, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Debbie donated her body to science so future doctors and nurses can learn from her. There will be no service, as per her request.