Deborah Anne (Haas) Maxwell, 78, who was born during a Tulsa snowstorm March 22, 1948, passed away at home the first day of Autumn, September 22, 2026.

Deborah was the third of Roland M. and V. Pauline (Blair) Haas’s six children. Her early years were spent in their Sand Springs home that abutted St. Patrick Catholic Church and Elementary School, which she attended until the family moved to Tulsa. There she completed elementary at Immaculate Conception and high school at Tulsa Central.

Deborah earned her bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in history from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, where she met and married Larry Caroon. Together, they welcomed two children, Joe and Katie. Teaching opportunities led the family to St. Petersburg, Florida, and later to the Denver, Colorado area, where Deborah worked as a substitute teacher.

After returning to Oklahoma, Deborah discovered her true professional calling as a drug and alcohol counselor. She began her career in Muskogee at Monarch, an inpatient treatment center for women, where she earned a reputation as a sharp, insightful, and compassionate counselor. She later brought her dedication and expertise to Tulsa’s 12 & 12 treatment center, serving the community for several years.

Following the passing of her father, Deborah devoted herself to caring for her mother. Together, they cherished simple pleasures—gardening, watching and feeding the birds around their home in Gilcrease Hills, and taking spontaneous road trips.

After her mother’s passing, Deborah settled into an apartment where she lived for over 20 years. Though later mobility challenges required the use of a walker, she faced health struggles with prayer, fierce determination, and a quick, infectious sense of humor.

Deborah will be remembered for her sharp wit, generous heart, and the countless lives she transformed through her counseling work and friendship.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roland M. and V. Pauline (Blair) Haas; her sister, Helen Elliott; and her husbands, Larry Caroon and Ray Maxwell.

She is survived by her son, Joe Caroon (Callie); her daughter, Katie Ellis (Jason); her brother, Michael Haas (Judy Pozelnik); three sisters, Dorothy Reidy (James, Sr.), Gretchen Haas-Bethell (Bob Bethell), and Jeannine Haas (Alice Barrett); her brother-in-law, Larry Elliott; grandchildren, Sydney Caroon, Ethan Ellis, and Cameron Ellis; and her nieces and nephews: Cindy Page, Kristin Early, Steven Haas, Jim Reidy, Michelle Reidy, Michael Reidy, Alison Messick, Karen Pennington, Valarie Jernigan, Kasey Jernigan, and Meghan Jernigan.

A memorial gathering to celebrate Deborah’s life is planned for Tuesday, November 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Buddy Lafortune Community Center in Lafortune Park, 5202 S. Hudson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to 12&12.org, 6333 E. Skelly Dr., Tulsa, OK 74135 or Monarch.org, 501 Fredonia St., Muskogee, OK 74403.