OBITUARY Debra Sue Wiltsey December 11, 1958 – December 22, 2018 It is with heavy hearts that Jenny and I announce the sudden passing of our mom Debbie. Along with many of you, we are in a state of disbelief as we wait for more information regarding what happened. We are comforted to know that she was surrounded by her loved ones and had Jenny by her side.
Debbie was born on December 11, 1958 in Pasadena Texas to Ai and Irene Wiltsey. She graduated from South Houston High in 1977. Her daughter Cassie was born in 1979.
In 1981 she moved to Bakersfield, California where Jenny was born. She worked for Kern County in the Department of Human Services and the Special Investigations Unit for nearly 34 years. She passed away on December 22 at Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield, California.
She will be going home to be buried by her sister Nancy in Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Donny, Nancy and Johnny. She is survived by her children, Cassie, Jenny, and son in law Zack; her grandchildren, Dallin, Dawson and Sadie; her sister Linda as well as loved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Professionally, she excelled at her job and was often recognized for her efforts. When she was questioned about her work, however, it was never any accolades or high marks given on reviews that she would mention. In fact, many went unspoken entirely and it was only when going through her files that we discovered them.
Her joy at work was the people she worked with. She would speak as fondly of her co-workers triumphs and struggles as she would her own family. Her last years of work she loved her SIU team and the culture she helped create.
Holidays were her favorite; especially Halloween. She would start brainstorming Halloween theme ideas as early as the summer. She loved planning and participating in retirement parties, baby showers, and luncheons.
But most importantly, she loved the people she worked with and the many lifelong friendships she developed throughout her career. As her daughters we are immensely grateful for her extended work family. We will remember her love of playing games and all things British.
She also loved to create. When her granddaughter Sadie asked for a stuffed Hobbes (from Calvin and Hobbes) and she realized there were none, she created a pattern and sewed a custom one for her. She learned jewelry making, knitting, crocheting, and most recently diamond painting.
She even tried her hand at running 5k’s and fencing! Our mom’s forever love was reading. Her desire to share that love with her kids and grandkids was evidenced as she was always looking for books to share with her grandkids.
That love increased tenfold as she discovered a shared love of the Harry Potter series. It is a treasured memory that includes sorting her kids and grandkids into Hogwarts houses, talking about the series and ultimately taking a trip to Universal Studios to Harry Potter World to experience the park with her family for the first time. The legacy our mom leaves is one of humility and service.
She was a humble, caring person, who consistently put the needs of others above her own. She would just as likely cook a turkey for someone as she would open her home to any who needed a safe place to land. We invite all who knew her to join us for a celebration of her life in Bakersfield, California on January 12th.
Friends and family are also welcome to the graveside service at the Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, Texas on January 17th.
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