Debra Jean Sloan-Eve

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of the ultimate Sheboss and Mama Bear, Debra Jean Sloan-Eve, who died on June 11, 2024, from complications following a severe stroke that occurred while undergoing emergency surgery for a brain tumor.

Born on March 14, 1958, Deb’s life was a constant circle of love, compassion, mischief, and occasional chaos. She was the oldest daughter of Jean and Phillip Sloan of Great Falls. She graduated from CM Russell High School in 1976 and went on to earn an accounting degree from University of Montana. After graduating from UM, she began her career in public accounting, eventually launching her own business, Lone Wolf Accounting, and serving as comptroller for Aaniiih Nakoda College, where she was employed at the time of her passing.

Deb’s favorite childhood memories were formed while fishing and camping at Sun River Canyon with her family, a pastime she later continued with her beloved partner in crime and life mate of 33 years, Bob Trujillo. While glamping with their dogs, Deb and Bob enjoyed many a card game, cocktail, and campfire while listening to Deb’s eclectic curated playlists. They also enjoyed cruising on their Harley’s together, even attending Sturgis a few times. Their mutual appreciation for good food and great company took them far and wide, but their favorite spot was the 3D Restaurant in Black Eagle, where they created countless memories with cherished family and friends.

Deb’s greatest accomplishment was raising her four children from her marriage to Joseph Eve, Theresa (Daniel) Urband of Albany, NY; Grant (Mercede) Eve of Great Falls; Kati (Jeramy) Eve of Billings; and the late Josi Eve of Great Falls. As a successful professional, Deb served as a strong role model for her kids, while always being available to provide unwavering support, guidance, and encouragement as their number one fan. Deb also shared a special bond with her niece, Cassidy Kline, who she loved dearly. Some of families’ greatest memories were the summer vacations Debbie’s Aunt Janice and Uncle Steve’s house in Vacaville, CA, where they would usually road trip there and back, spending many hours at the pool, shopping, attending sports games, and playing card and board games late into the night.

With her generous and nurturing soul, Deb was a mother to many, both blood relations and bonus family. She was affectionately known as “Mama Deb,” “Madre,” and “The Other Mother.” The door of her home at 2712 7th Avenue North was always open, and the house was full of action, with a constant flow of kids coming and going. She loved the laughter, antics, and endless entertainment provided by her children’s friends and was always in the center of the madness, ready to feed everyone and provide them a place to crash at the end of the night. She fully embraced her role as bonus mom and mentor to so many of her “kids” over the years, including, but certainly not limited to, Corgan Bosley, Christie Zigan, Taylor McCabe, and Allen Johnson.

In 2006, Deb’s youngest daughter, Josi, suffered a horrific car accident, and Deb and Bob were thrust into the role of full-time caregivers, providing 24/7 in-home care for Josi with endless love and compassion until Josi’s death in 2010. Words cannot express our family’s gratitude for their dedication and sacrifice. Whenever she saw a feather, Deb used to say that was a sign of Josi. It gives us comfort knowing that she has joined Josi in heaven.

While she was profoundly saddened by Josi’s passing, Deb continued to serve as a beacon of hope, faith, and love for her family. In recent years, “Gigi” treasured spending time with her grandchildren, Mikah and Emmett Eve, Charlie and Noah Urband, and Kobe LaRocque. She enjoyed taking them shopping (lots of shopping!), teaching them silly tricks, and doing anything and everything messy that their parents would not approve of. Deb celebrated and encouraged their unique interests and took pride in their accomplishments. Her grandchildren will always remember her ability to make them laugh.

During the holidays, Deb shined the brightest, as she delighted in all things magical. Halloween brought out her love of the bizarre and spooky, and the details she put into her costumes and décor were unmatched. However, her favorite holiday was Christmas, which provided the perfect occasion for her to express her overflowing generosity. She shopped all year to make sure that she gave all her friends and family the perfect gifts. She had enough holiday decorations to decorate ten houses, and she loved displaying all of her treasures. She twinkled with happiness during the holiday season like the Christmas lights she loved so much.

Deb’s passion also extended to her work family at Aaniiih Nakoda College (Fort Belknap Agency, Montana), where she served as Chief Fiscal Officer and Comptroller for 24 years. Every week she drove the Havre Highway to Fort Belknap, rocking out in her truck, to work on campus Monday through Thursday. As a key member of the college’s leadership team, she was fiercely committed to Aaniiih Nakoda College and worked tirelessly to make the college successful. She took immense pride and satisfaction in her work at the college, and her efforts have had a profound influence on the many students, staff, and faculty she served with such devotion. She adored working with the college’s long-time president, Dr. Carole Falcon-Chandler, as well as her successor (and son), Dr. Sean Chandler. For so many at the college, Deb was not only a leader, a financial wizard, a mentor, and a friend; she was family, and she will be missed deeply.

In recent years, Deb was extremely active with the Black Eagle Fire Department and was proud of her accomplishments as treasurer and project coordinator as she enjoyed giving back to the community she grew up in.

We would be remiss not to mention Deb’s love for all creatures great and small, but especially dogs. If you look at her Facebook profile, you will see her endless posts about pets and animals; she was always trying to help a furry friend in need. Her own four-legged “beasts” were the real rulers of her house and her greatest source of laughter and joy.

Deb was also a sports fan. The Montana State Bobcats were her team, but she also liked the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, and New York Yankees. She loved attending live games but was equally happy watching Sunday Night Football on TV, which she would follow by curling up on the couch with a great book.

Her capacity for forming connections was remarkable. She had a charismatic personality that drew people to her. With Deb, nobody was a stranger for long. She made friends with people from all walks of life, accepting them for who they were, bringing out the best in them, and holding them dear in her expansive heart. To everyone fortunate enough to have been graced by her benevolence and kindness, know that Deb cherished the conversations and laughter you shared together. Her legacy, a tapestry of love, camaraderie, kindness, and craziness, will live on in our hearts.

We invite all who had the privilege to know Deb to join in a celebration of her life at the Rendezvous at Four Ten, located at 410 Central Avenue, Great Falls MT on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Following the ceremony, everyone is encouraged and welcome to share their memories, as she loved being the center of a great story.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her honor can be made to Benefis Health System Mercy Flights (benefis.org), Paws of Chinook (pawsofchinnook.org) or any charity that helps animals in need.

“Always remember to be kind.”

Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.