Honoring the Life and Legacy of
Debra A. Hollard
Obituary
Debra (Debbie) A. Hollard of Longmont, Colorado passed away at her home on February 24, 2023 of respiratory failure. Debbie was born on July 9th, 1952 in Stanley, North Dakota to Thomas H. Grinstead and Betty Ann Hall.
Debbie grew up in the Denver, Longmont, and Louisville areas, graduating from Louisville High School in 1971. She was a longtime employee of IBM and Spherion in Boulder until her retirement in 2003.
She married Winston (Skip) Hollard on May 19, 1984. They met through a dating service, writing letters to each other. They both enjoyed going on ocean cruises and spending time together with friends and family. Debbie loved baking as she learned her craft from family members when she was young. Her specialties were cakes for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and everything in-between.
Debbie loved animals, especially horses and Corgis. After her retirement, she fulfilled her dream and bought a horse and began training at Haystack Acres where she boarded her horse. She also started breeding and raising Pembroke Welsh Corgis with Haystack and amassed a large following of friends in the Corgi community across the United States. She was a past member of the Cochlear Implant Club International and hosted a successful national convention in Colorado in 1991. She enjoyed the club for several years.
She is preceded in death by her son Virgil Gonzales. She leaves behind her loving husband Skip Hollard of Longmont; a brother, Thomas Grinstead Jr. of North Port, Florida; a sister, Tonya Grinstead West of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Anthony and Letoya and three nieces, along with numerous cousins and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Debbie Hollard to International Hearing Dog Inc. using the link below.
Photo Gallery
Corgi Puppy Playtime
Debbie has always been a great Corgi mom. She makes sure all puppies get plenty of human interaction, and she just loves puppy kisses anyway. Who wouldn’t?
In Lieu Of Flowers Please Consider Donating To International Hearing Dog, Inc.
Debbie was given a hearing dog and it really helped her. Debbie would be honored to know your donation in her memory is helping this worthy cause.
My dear Debbie, you are joined this morning by one of our girls, Peggy Sue left to see you this morning. My heart is broken again this morning, but glad you two are together again.
Asha and I love you both so much!!!
Debbie’s name came to my mind this morning when I awakened, so I decided to look her up online, sadly finding her obituary. We met at IBM and worked on copiers there. We were both deaf so that brought us together also. I think I was the one who told her about the Cochlear Implant. I already had one and she then went and got it too. It improved her voice so much, that I went back and got the newer model which was much much better than the one I had. I have had several upgrades since then and love The CI which gave me back my hearing. Debbie was so much fun to be around. She was always busy and involved in life. RIP Debbie and deep condolences to Skip.
g
Happy Birthday Debbie!
I miss you so much!
The whole world misses you deeply!
I knew Deb for several years. Both a customer and good friend. We met at an agility dog event, talked for a while and became friends. So kind hearted. I will miss her very much.
Debbie was my neighbor for several years and I will always treasure all the great memories I have of her. We shared some fun times, like dressing up for costume parties, and meaningful times when she made the cake to welcome my son-in-law back from Gulf war or the cake for my daughters wedding. Rest in peace Debbie..
My deepest condolences to everyone touched by Debbie’s passing. She lived a full life and was an inspiration to many. Plus she bred some adorable corgis. May she rest in peace.
Cousin Debbie: You gave so much & suffered too much. But now you suffer no more in heaven! Love you! See you on the other side.
I’m SO THANKFUL that Deb shared her life and LOVE with me. We had SO MUCH in common, yet so different in many ways. Her love for life and all that was in it, well, no words can express but I see by ALL POSTS she shared it with ANY she came in contact with, that is a BLESSING that we should all learn from. Thank you Deb and thank you, God, for my path crossing hers. ?
I found the photo that I wanted to share of Debbie, in Jan of 1984 at my Mom and Toms house. Debbie looked so lovely, and her son Virgil was there although not in this photo. Seems like a lifetime ago. Tommy, Tonya and her family, Virgil, Me and Becky and her husband, Debbie and Skip. Thinking of you Debbie, in heaven- there with Tom and my Mom and Virgil, rest well.
I am sorry to hear that Debbie has passed. She was such a kind person, even with all the pain and suffering she had endured. Debbie became my step-sister when her Dad Tom married my Mom Nadine. My sister and I have always felt an attachment to her and Skip even thought we all lived so far away – her honesty and love of her animals. Loved all her Corgi photos. Here is a photo of a family gathering when we were visiting with Tom, my step Dad. Its the whole family, my sis Becky, her husband, sons, and spouses and Tom her brother. My Jack and Deb and Skip. Just one event but it was great to see her and Skip- only one picture fits here but I have more. Rest in Peace Deb.
Sorry to hear about Deb’s passing. My wife (Lisa) and daughter (Tyra) were good friends with her, and shared many interests. I remember her as always being very positive, even though the health cards dealt her were not fair. She was a busy person, and still found time to help others. The world has lost a very kind and talented woman. My condolences to Skip and her family. Scott Miller
I met Debbie many years ago. We developed a wonderful friendship that I will always hold dear to my heart. I have such fond memories. I will always remember our adventures with delivering and taking care of puppies. She pushed me beyond my comfort level which I will always be grateful for. Debbie was a wonderful teacher of many parts of my life including baking, taking care of animals, and giving advice when I needed it. Debbie was there to help anyone at a moments notice. She was a kind, loving, and caring person. I will miss going out to lunch with my dear friend and hanging out with her.
I have wonderful memories of Debbie. She was a wonderful advocate for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Community. She was funny and always seemed to be smiling. I met Debbie at the Midwest Ear Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. She was a very active member of the Kansas City Cochlear Implant Club and the International CI Club. She’s probably organizing another club in heaven.
My condolences to her other friends and family. She was a peach!
– Lisa Geier, PhD. (retired audiologist)
I only met Debbie once, when she drove out to Bowling Green to deliver a puppy. But we chatted a lot when I learned that one of my Corgis spent the first 10 weeks of her life with Debbie. She truly loved all of her fur babies so much. And she seemed to tackle whatever life threw at her with so much determination and grace. May she rest in peace.
Dear Debbie, Your voyage was turbulent but your charm calmed the waters of a troubled sea. You brought sunshine and laughter to all who knew you. Thankfully you were a part of our family during your voyage. Rest in peace, may you know the tranquility of Heaven. Love to you and all that you hold dear.
Oh my dear heart-friend, I am so sad that you have left this earth. Your love and spirit shone on and we will miss you forever. You will hear your name at each Llyr’s Fire, spoken with great love nad many, many tears. We remember… <3
We remember♥️
I will miss you my friend. I am so glad you are no longer struggling. Such a sweet and loving lady who loved her all her dogs.
A living soul who enriched the lives of those around her.
So happy she is no longer suffering, and so sad for the rest of us who no longer have the pleasure of her company. Rest in Peace my friend! Here is a photo to share of Debbie and Roxanne in 2018. Roxanne is my first corgi, and the reason Deb and I met through Haystack Acres. <3
Debbie, I only met you a few times, at the house, at Tour de Corgi plus you went out of your way to meet up along I-25 to say hello. I knew you as the most sweet and gentle soul. Your life was not always easy but you were such a positive person. You will be missed by many.