Deborah Ann Collins' Obituary
Deborah Ann Collins
Born: October 11th, 1955
Died: August 17th, 2023
Deborah Ann Collins, 67, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away surrounded by her family, on August 17th. Debbie lived a full and warm life, filled with joy. She will be fondly remembered and sorely missed.
Her entire life, Debbie’s predominant focus was on family, especially, her children. From the birth of her first child at age sixteen, she was a proud, devoted mother. She doted upon each one, bestowing love, offering encouragement, and attending every school and sporting event. To this day, each of her children recalls echoes of her cheers of support.
With John, her loving husband of over forty years, they built a home that welcomed friends and family alike, never failing to offer food, repeatedly…until accepted. Debbie loved cooking and gardening. Like her mother, Debbie reveled in the spirit of the Holiday season, decorating inside and out. You could catch her watching her beloved Fighting Irish each and every Saturday in the fall.
Chiefly, Debbie loved caring for and spending time with family and friends. She seized any opportunity to offer a kindness to a friend or stranger. Debbie was known far and wide for her cookie deliveries, both during Christmas time or even as a thank you for pumping her gas (“bribing candy”).
Debbie had multiple careers, working for the State of Ohio and the Columbus Public School system as well as in the construction and banking industries. Frequently, she chose employment options that gave her the flexibility to prioritize family obligations. Even going so far as to start her own in-home nail salon, leveraging her gift of gab. In each role, she was a quick study, accumulating responsibilities and becoming an important contributor to her team.
Debbie was predeceased by her parents, Ann and Charles. She is survived by her husband, John, four siblings, Ann, Mark, John, and Matt, four children (and their spouses), Todd (Laura), Brad (Sandie), Jesse (Ben), and Laura (Michelle), and five wonderful grandchildren, Anika, Ava, Aiden, Aubrey, and Aaliana.
The family appreciates your love and support during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers and in the spirit of building a better world, Debbie and the family recommend donations to the American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org) or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or the charity of your choice.
Thank you for the outpouring of sympathy and love. The family is not planning any future events and is comforted in knowing how many lives Debbie touched.
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