Debbie was known by many for her faith, unwavering strength, quiet determination, and boundless love. Whether she was opening her home to others, offering thoughtful advice, or simply being a steady presence, she left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Although she sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer, the love that she shared and the legacy she created have left behind an impact that will last a lifetime.
Debbie was a safe space for everyone she met, especially her family. Because her husband served in the military, frequent moves taught Debbie and her children that home wasn’t a place; it was wherever family was. No matter where they lived, Debbie welcomed countless people into her home with open arms, creating a space where everyone felt loved, accepted, and cared for. She extended the same warmth to her children’s friends, making them feel like they could always count on her.
Practical yet deeply compassionate, Debbie had a remarkable ability to recognize the needs of others and quietly step in to help. She was a woman of few words, not because she had little to say, but because she chose her words carefully. When she spoke, everyone knew to listen because they knew it was valuable. She was many things throughout her life: a wife, mother, and grandmother, but above all, she was a trusted friend to everyone around her.
She was a friend to her daughters, Beth and Lisa, especially. As the years went on, their relationship grew beyond mother and daughter, becoming one rooted in friendship and unwavering support. Beth describes her mom as kindhearted, caring, and faithful, qualities she had centered her life around. Debbie listened without judgment, offering comfort through her presence rather than trying to solve every problem. Whether Beth needed reassurance during a difficult moment or just someone to hear her out, her mom was always there with a listening ear, encouragement, and unconditional love.
A Fight Defined By Determination
When Debbie found out she had pancreatic cancer, it took her by surprise. It started as persistent shortness of breath from a blood clot. In May of 2024, after being encouraged to go back to the doctor, they found not only another blood clot, but a mass in her pancreas. When Beth and her sister got the news, they immediately headed to the emergency room to meet their mom and dad.
“That moment in the ER is so memorable,” Beth said. “There was a heaviness in the room that is hard to describe.”
Beth and her sister are both nurses and worked at the same hospital and, luckily, were able to get her set up with care quickly.
Three weeks after her diagnosis, Debbie began her chemotherapy, and at first, she responded really well, and the lesions and tumor were shrinking. After months of chemotherapy, she had to take a much-needed break from treatment in December, giving her body a chance to rest and recover.
When she returned in January, the cancer had progressed, and she began a new treatment regimen. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as effective as the first. Still, she remained determined to make the most of the time she had. One of her biggest goals was to take a long-awaited 50th anniversary trip with her daughters, their husbands, and her husband, Will, a trip she was able to take before her health began to decline.
After returning home, Debbie’s condition gradually worsened, making her unable to continue treatment. When she went back to the hospital, they shared the devastating news that there were no more treatment options for her. Debbie and Will decided it was time to transition to hospice. On May 16th, she headed home on hospice surrounded by the love and support of her family.
Her Final Days
Debbie was a woman fueled by faith and determination, and that was apparent throughout her final days.
Shortly after she went home on hospice, a few very important days were approaching. On May 24th, Beth’s daughter, Elise, had her high school graduation party, followed by Debbie and Will’s 51st wedding anniversary on the 25th, and Beth’s on the 26th. More than anything, Debbie wanted to make it through those special moments so she could be there with her family.
Not only did Debbie want to be there, but her entire family was determined to make it happen. Her children and grandchildren gathered around her, creating a mission they called “Operation Move Ma-Ga,” a nickname given to Debbie one of her grandkids.
In the days leading up to the celebration, Debbie did everything she could to build up her strength. She drank milk every day, ate as much as she could, and remained determined to maintain a positive mindset despite the challenges she faced.
When the day finally arrived, her family did everything to help her get ready and bring her to the celebration. Surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and loved ones, Debbie was able to celebrate despite how sick she was. It was a memory her family will cherish forever. It was a testament to Debbie’s resilience and love for the people who meant the most to her.
“Learning how to hold grief and joy in the same space is really hard, and it’s not easy to understand,” Beth said. “But it was definitely like that, that day.”
Debbie was able to make it through the graduation party. Afterward, her family brought her back to her house together and recognized that these were probably the last days they had with her. Debbie made it through her 51st wedding anniversary and her daughter’s anniversary.
Debbie passed away just after midnight on May 27th. She fought long enough to be there for the moments that mattered most to her, making it through the milestones she had hoped to share with her family. Beth looked at her presence those two days as the last thing her mom had given to them, especially her daughter, Elise.
“We look at it as God’s kindness to her to be able to do those things, and sheer determination,” Beth said. “Because if there was one thing that my mom was, she was a very strong, strong woman, determined.”
Joining the Project Purple Family
At the hospital where Beth works, there is a fellowship program for new nurses, and Beth facilitates one for the oncology tower. Pancreatic cancer had not been represented in a long time, so she decided to include this in a session. When she was in communication with the presenter, she learned about Project Purple, leading her to all the avenues in which they raise awareness and funds for pancreatic research and patient financial aid.
Beth never had a steady relationship with running; after seeing it present in her husband’s life and her dad’s life, she gave it a try. A few years back, she ran her first half marathon and continued to run as a way for her to deal with the loss of her mom and allow her to have a place where she can just be present with herself.
“Running is something that you can just be out on the trail, and I can process my mom and what we’ve lost by not having her, at the same time what I’m grateful for,” Beth said.
When she was looking into Project Purple, she saw the opportunity to run the Dublin Marathon. It just so happened that her daughter Elise was going to be studying abroad during that time. Beth thought it would be an amazing opportunity to honor her mom alongside her husband, Jed, and daughter. Her oldest son also wanted to run but unfortunately couldn’t make it. Although he won’t be there this time, he plans to honor Debbie through a marathon in September.
“I knew it was going to be hard; it was going to be a stretch, but if my mom got up and was able to do chemo and able to get to my daughter’s graduation, surely I can train for a marathon,” Beth shared.
The Meaning Behind the Race
Having Elise by her side for the marathon makes the experience even more meaningful to Beth, even though she jokes that Elise will likely finish far ahead of her. Beth wasn’t surprised when Elise wanted to join them.
She describes her daughter as incredibly disciplined, waking up at 4:30 am after working 12-hour hospital shifts to make sure she has time to properly train. In many ways, Beth sees the determination and resilience in Elise that defined Debbie.
“I don’t care how we do it; I just love that we get to do this together in honor of my mom and knowing that it’s contributing towards funding for something that can help others,” Beth said. “Maybe someday down the road, people will not have to deal with this anymore because of something we are contributing.”
Having Jed and Elise by her side, Beth can’t even anticipate all the emotions she will feel on race day. Her journey with Project Purple and reflection on her mom’s life and journey has allowed her to truly be grateful for each day her body can move. Beth anticipates that there will be hard times during the marathon. What gets her through them is thinking back to her mom.
Beth often thinks back to ‘Operation Move Ma-Ga’ and how difficult those final days must have been for Debbie. She had always been a self-sufficient woman and found joy in helping others rather than asking for help herself. Beth believes it must have been incredibly humbling for Debbie to rely on so many loved ones for support. Looking back, she is reminded not only of her mother’s strength during those final days, but also the faith and determination she showed every day throughout her fight against pancreatic cancer.
“When I walk up to work, I face the cancer tower. When it’s winter and a brutal -0 degrees out, I think about how hard it must have been for her to get up, put her gloves and her hat on, and come out in the cold and wind when she was so cold-sensitive from chemo,” Beth said. “And she did it, and she did it because she understood that she wasn’t quite ready to be done.”
Another motivator for Beth is all the other people who have been in the same position as her and her mom.
“Sometimes when I don’t want to run, I just think that there are so many people across the world who joined my mom in the same journey, and they are still struggling today,” she said.
Beyond the Finish Line
Training for this marathon has been nothing short of difficult, but throughout her journey, Beth tries to maintain the positive outlook that her mom always carried.
“On one hand, it’s been really, really hard. But on the other, I have a lens that allows me to appreciate how hard it is, and the fact that what I’m going through is nothing,” Beth said. “It’s nothing compared to what our families go through and people who have these diagnoses. I can’t even complain about it.”
As race day approaches, Beth is looking forward to crossing the finish line. Not because she wants the journey to end, but because of everything it represents. Training for the Dublin Marathon has been about much more than preparing for 26.2 miles. It has been an opportunity to honor her mom, reflect her grief, and transform that loss into something meaningful. Every mile is a reminder of Debbie’s strength and the determination she showed throughout her battle with pancreatic cancer.
The marathon will also be a special family moment. Beth’s dad plans to be there cheering from the sidelines alongside her youngest daughter. Debbie was a constant, loving presence in all of her grandchildren’s lives, making it especially meaningful for Beth to have one daughter by her side on the course and another there to celebrate at the finish line. Having three generations of her family come together to honor Debbie is a full-circle moment. It reflects the lasting impact she had on each of their lives and the legacy of love and resilience that continues to inspire.
If you’d like to run or participate in an event of your own for Project Purple, visit our events page.
