Deborah was born in the former Siaya District of Kenya. She was the second child to Mr. John Were and Mrs. Everlyne Were who loved her very much. She had a happy childhood in Kisumu, Kenya where she had her primary education. 

Her high school education was at Ulanda Girls High School where she was fondly referred to as "pilot" due to her outgoing nature.

Her university education was in Information and Communications Technology at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She also attained her MBA at the University of Nairobi. 

Deborah worked as Employee Relation Liaison at South Nyanza Sugar Company, and then as Office Manager for Administration and Human Resources at Centers for International Programs - Columbia University. She worked until her passing as Lecturer at Kisii University.