Arizona Republic
April 24, 2025
Debbie Enke Gundry, of Chandler, Arizona passed away suddenly on April 17, 2025 at the age of 71. She was born June 25, 1953 in Tucson, Arizona, daughter of the late Fred and Majorie Enke of Casa Grande.
Debbie was a loving wife to her high school sweetheart, Jeff Gundry, for 47 years and a devoted mother of 3 sons; Bryce (Tonya), Eric (Brenda) and Chad (July 30th–July 31, 1987). She was also the best NayNay there ever was to her 6 grandchildren; Payton, Liam, Brooklyn and Brynlee (Eric/Brenda Gundry Family) Noah and Eli (Bryce/Tonya Gundry Family).
In Debbie’s words, “I Love, Love, LOVE my children and grandchildren!” She never missed an opportunity to show up to their sporting and school events, having sleepovers, or just telling anyone and everyone how amazing they are!
Debbie was such a loving and caring sister to Diana (Jack) Keller, Denise (Greg) Cameron and Freddie W. Enke Jr. and so loving and supportive of her many nieces and nephews and all the family. She stayed connected to all of Jeff’s family in various states, taking road trips to visit many times.
Besides her faith, family was the most important thing to Debbie, always wanting everyone to be together. To know Debbie, was to also know her family, whether you actually knew them personally or not!
She was very proud of her Enke heritage, being the granddaughter of the UA basketball coach, Fred A Enke and daughter of UA “Ring of Honor” recipient and NFL player, Fred W. Enke. However, ASU was the University she loved. Graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, and Master’s Degree all while working and taking care her boys, she said, “I did it the hard way, but got ’er done!” And she was SO proud.
Debbie became a teacher, as she always wanted to be, first in the Chandler School District and the next 26 years in the Kyrene School District. She taught 2nd and 3rd grade at Monte Vista for 10 years, then realizing the younger kids didn’t understand her silly sarcasm, she moved to middle school at Aprende. She taught Math one year then 6th grade Science for the remaining 16 years of her career. She was loved by all students and colleagues and had so many everlasting friendships. In 2015, she retired from teaching after 28 wonderful years. Although it didn’t actually end there because Debbie continued on as a regular substitute teacher. She truly loved her career.
No one loved retirement more than Debbie. She took every opportunity to travel with Teacher friends and High School friends, as well as a fun “Sister Trip” to Italy, France & Switzerland. A highlight was an incredible trip when she and Jeff traveled to Israel and were baptized in the Jordan. Most favorite were the many trips to Las Vegas to see her “Vegas babies”, often taking Noah & Eli with them so all cousins could be together. That’s how important family was to her.
Debbie loved her busy, fun packed life; taking care of her grandchildren with their events, jumping places, and Phx Science Ctr. She stayed connected to her abundant friends through happy hours and 3-hour long breakfasts! Growing her faith was important to her as she joined a Women’s Bible Study at her church. She loved the teachings and the friendships made and it quickly became one of her favorite places to be.
Debbie loved fiercely, and gave so much of her heart and soul to those who knew her. You could have known her for 5 minutes, yet felt like a lifelong friend. She has impacted so many with her smile and willingness to listen intently. Her compassion, zest, and joy for life and the sincerity in which she lived, were contagious to those around her.
It is hard to imagine life without our Debbie, but as she would say, “It’s an AdvenTURE”!!!
Thank you to all of the heartfelt sentiments and prayers!
Celebration of Debbie’s Life:
May 17, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Arizona Community Church.
9325 S. Rural Rd Tempe, Az 85284.
Thank you to The Whitney & Murphy Bueler Mortuary for their great care provided.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Debbie’s honor can be made to the Kyrene School foundation or Arizona Community church.
April 24, 2025
Debbie Enke Gundry, of Chandler, Arizona passed away suddenly on April 17, 2025 at the age of 71. She was born June 25, 1953 in Tucson, Arizona, daughter of the late Fred and Majorie Enke of Casa Grande.
Debbie was a loving wife to her high school sweetheart, Jeff Gundry, for 47 years and a devoted mother of 3 sons; Bryce (Tonya), Eric (Brenda) and Chad (July 30th–July 31, 1987). She was also the best NayNay there ever was to her 6 grandchildren; Payton, Liam, Brooklyn and Brynlee (Eric/Brenda Gundry Family) Noah and Eli (Bryce/Tonya Gundry Family).
In Debbie’s words, “I Love, Love, LOVE my children and grandchildren!” She never missed an opportunity to show up to their sporting and school events, having sleepovers, or just telling anyone and everyone how amazing they are!
Debbie was such a loving and caring sister to Diana (Jack) Keller, Denise (Greg) Cameron and Freddie W. Enke Jr. and so loving and supportive of her many nieces and nephews and all the family. She stayed connected to all of Jeff’s family in various states, taking road trips to visit many times.
Besides her faith, family was the most important thing to Debbie, always wanting everyone to be together. To know Debbie, was to also know her family, whether you actually knew them personally or not!
She was very proud of her Enke heritage, being the granddaughter of the UA basketball coach, Fred A Enke and daughter of UA “Ring of Honor” recipient and NFL player, Fred W. Enke. However, ASU was the University she loved. Graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, and Master’s Degree all while working and taking care her boys, she said, “I did it the hard way, but got ’er done!” And she was SO proud.
Debbie became a teacher, as she always wanted to be, first in the Chandler School District and the next 26 years in the Kyrene School District. She taught 2nd and 3rd grade at Monte Vista for 10 years, then realizing the younger kids didn’t understand her silly sarcasm, she moved to middle school at Aprende. She taught Math one year then 6th grade Science for the remaining 16 years of her career. She was loved by all students and colleagues and had so many everlasting friendships. In 2015, she retired from teaching after 28 wonderful years. Although it didn’t actually end there because Debbie continued on as a regular substitute teacher. She truly loved her career.
No one loved retirement more than Debbie. She took every opportunity to travel with Teacher friends and High School friends, as well as a fun “Sister Trip” to Italy, France & Switzerland. A highlight was an incredible trip when she and Jeff traveled to Israel and were baptized in the Jordan. Most favorite were the many trips to Las Vegas to see her “Vegas babies”, often taking Noah & Eli with them so all cousins could be together. That’s how important family was to her.
Debbie loved her busy, fun packed life; taking care of her grandchildren with their events, jumping places, and Phx Science Ctr. She stayed connected to her abundant friends through happy hours and 3-hour long breakfasts! Growing her faith was important to her as she joined a Women’s Bible Study at her church. She loved the teachings and the friendships made and it quickly became one of her favorite places to be.
Debbie loved fiercely, and gave so much of her heart and soul to those who knew her. You could have known her for 5 minutes, yet felt like a lifelong friend. She has impacted so many with her smile and willingness to listen intently. Her compassion, zest, and joy for life and the sincerity in which she lived, were contagious to those around her.
It is hard to imagine life without our Debbie, but as she would say, “It’s an AdvenTURE”!!!
Thank you to all of the heartfelt sentiments and prayers!
Celebration of Debbie’s Life:
May 17, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Arizona Community Church.
9325 S. Rural Rd Tempe, Az 85284.
Thank you to The Whitney & Murphy Bueler Mortuary for their great care provided.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Debbie’s honor can be made to the Kyrene School foundation or Arizona Community church.
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