Deborah Laura Rhodes

Deborah Laura Rhodes, age 62, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, passed on March 31, 2024. 

Deb was born in Royal Oak, Michigan on June 29, 1961 to John Arvin Laura and Betty Lee Wolff.  She graduated from Southfield High School and continued to further her education at Wayne State University graduating Phi Beta Kappa and highest honors with a Bachelors of Arts in English  in 1983 and a Juris Doctorate in 1986.  

She was admitted to the Bar in November 1986 and spent her early career as a trial attorney.  She retired in 2020 as General Counsel of Ally Financial where she worked for twenty years.  

Deb married her best friend and life long love, Robert Rhodes, on April 7, 1995. They were married for twenty-eight years.  They enjoyed traveling together, especially to Aruba and Las Vegas, and to visit friends and family around the country.  They spent as much time as possible over the last decade at their cabin up north enjoying the seasons. 

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Deb.  She  loved music - to sing and play flute.  She was a member of the Detroit Lutheran Singers for thirty-five years.   She had an uncanny ability to find happiness in her daily activities.  She especially loved to read and snuggle with her beloved cat, Mabel.  Her laugh and positive personality were contagious and she was a remarkable storyteller. 

Deb is preceded in death by her father, John Laura; mother, Betty Wolff; and brother, Michael Laura. 

Deb is survived by her husband, Bob, and her nieces and nephews: Nicole Alge; Alicia Laura; Shannon and Adam Garfield; Jessica and Richard Gooch; Anthony and Autumn Perlotto; Michael Rhodes, James Rhodes and Shayna Sosnowik; and her eight grandnieces and grandnephews: Thomas, Aedan, Elizabeth, Warren, Clara, Hayes, Lyla, and Moshe. Deb’s pride was in her family and her loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

The visitation will be held on Friday, April 12 at Manns Family Funeral Home, 17000 Middlebelt at Six Mile, Livonia, MI 48154 from 4-7pm, with a service following at 7pm.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Detroit Lutheran Singers at detroitlutheransingers.com under the donate tab by electronic donation or check.