Deborah Priscilla O'Brien, age 58, passed away peacefully in her sleep on 6 January, 2021, due to COVID-19 complications. She was born 1 August, 1962 in Durban, South Africa to Cecil and Maria Robb.
Debbie was a kind and loving woman, to whom her family was her whole world. Her daily purpose in life was to bring some small happiness or joy into the lives of her loved ones. With her sons and dear family living abroad, she dedicated her time to being present in their lives every single day even though she couldn't be near them. One of the fondest and enduring memories we have of her was her habit to respond to any message, picture or video she received from us, no matter how unimportant or mundane it may have been. She doted on Keith, her husband, lifelong love and best friend, for all 34 years of their marriage. Her absence will leave a hole in our hearts, and our day to day lives, that will never be replaced.
The pride she had for her sons, nephews and nieces was immense. She could sing their praises (and gloss over their faults) for hours to anyone willing to listen. The time she spent, love she showered, meals she cooked and encouragement she always gave to them through their lives has contributed to the people they are today. Truly, her greatest legacy will be their future lives, achievements and loves.
Debbie had a deep love of animals. From her dogs, Jack and Jill, to the myriad birds that she fed in her garden every day, the joy she showed to any animal she met was contagious. Even the monkeys who sneaked into her kitchen to steal her bananas and bread had a tender spot in her heart.
Besides Keith and her boys Rogan and Devin, she is survived by her siblings Alaine, Arthur and Samantha, as well as many siblings-in-law, nephews and nieces.
Due to the current situation, she will have a memorial only for immediate family on Thursday, 14 January at 3 p.m. A live stream link, for all those whose lives were touched by Debbie but cannot be present, will follow in due course. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to your local animal shelter.
Please join us in celebrating her life by sharing a memory, anecdote or photo on this website, where we can memorialize our love for a very special lady indeed.Dear Keith, Devin, Lou, Rogan & Skyla
Those we love don’t go away;
they walk beside us in our hearts and memories every day.
They can never be more than a thought away; for as long as there’s a memory, they live on in our hearts.
Please accept our most heartfelt condolences.
Special love Mike & Annie xx
Debz will always be in our hearts & thoughts,
with her beautiful smile & sparkling eyes.
All the darkness in the world,
Cannot extinguish the light from a single candle.
St. Francis of Assisi
Those we love don’t go away;
they walk beside us in our hearts and memories every day.
They can never be more than a thought away; for as long as there’s a memory, they live on in our hearts.
Please accept our most heartfelt condolences.
Special love Mike & Annie xx
Debz will always be in our hearts & thoughts,
with her beautiful smile & sparkling eyes.
All the darkness in the world,
Cannot extinguish the light from a single candle.
St. Francis of Assisi
Dearest Debbie taken far too soon. You were always a wonderful friend to me and my family. You were our 'Christmas family' and we shared wonderful times. Deepest condolences to Keith, Devin, Rogan and Skyla and Lou.
Dear Debs so hard to believe you were taken so soon, love to Keith, Devin, Rogen and your extended family, R.I.P. Debs xxxxxx
Gone far to young, always with a happy smile on your face, you loved your family. Rest in peace Debbie. Condolences to Keith, Devin, Rogan and O'Brien family.
Deb, you will be missed. Taken too early but you will forever live on with us. You were more than a sister in law to me. You had such a great influence on all the kids. All the joy and fun times we had together over the last 35+ years we truly a blessing. The devotion to my brother was exceptional. You and Alaine had a real close relationship and she cherished you. The US O’Brien family will miss you tremendously and I know many years into the future we will still be talking about “Deb the rat”. Love u.
You life was a blessing
Your memory a treasure
You are loved beyond words
And missed beyond measure.
Rest in peace Debbie
Your memory a treasure
You are loved beyond words
And missed beyond measure.
Rest in peace Debbie
My dear Aunt Debbie , by far the sweetest most beautiful soul I know . You have made such an empowering impact on my life and I can’t thank you enough !
You helped me through my tough times with no question and would always be a shoulder for me to cry on .
You had such a pure heart and you always brought the light into the room as you entered , words could never express how much I appreciate you .
Aunt Debbie you will always have a special place in my heart and I’m grateful to be able to say that because it warms me up from the inside out .
Lots to say , didn’t have enough time .
Aunt Debs you made an impact on the world .
And your Nikita loves you dearly .
You helped me through my tough times with no question and would always be a shoulder for me to cry on .
You had such a pure heart and you always brought the light into the room as you entered , words could never express how much I appreciate you .
Aunt Debbie you will always have a special place in my heart and I’m grateful to be able to say that because it warms me up from the inside out .
Lots to say , didn’t have enough time .
Aunt Debs you made an impact on the world .
And your Nikita loves you dearly .
She is Gone
"You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she'd want:
Smile, open your eyes, love and go on
R. I. P my cousin Debbie ❤️
"You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she'd want:
Smile, open your eyes, love and go on
R. I. P my cousin Debbie ❤️
Debbie was taken from our family too soon, but she will always be in our memories.
She was our families fiercest supporter. Always encouraging and proud. I will think about her every day and sending her so much love
She was our families fiercest supporter. Always encouraging and proud. I will think about her every day and sending her so much love
Debz my friend, you called me sister. I am going to miss all the fun times we had together. The shows, the braais, our holidays away together. RIP, you have taken a piece of my heart with you.
My condolences to Keith, Devin, Rogan, Alaine, Arthur and Samantha, as well as to Lou and Skyla.
My condolences to Keith, Devin, Rogan, Alaine, Arthur and Samantha, as well as to Lou and Skyla.
Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day...unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear. RIP Debbie
Debbie may you rest in peace and our heart felt condolences to Keith and family you are going to be missed
Peace to the beautiful & incomparable Debz, gone too soon. You raised a family that continues to fill my heart with laughter & love every day. We will spend the rest of our days remembering, loving, and honoring you.
Your son is the greatest blessing of my life, and I am so grateful that he has so much of your goodness and love in him. You will not be forgotten!
Your son is the greatest blessing of my life, and I am so grateful that he has so much of your goodness and love in him. You will not be forgotten!
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Dear Keith, Devin, Lou, Rogan & Skyla
Those we love don’t go away;
they walk beside us in our hearts and memories every day.
They can never be more than a thought away; for as long as there’s a memory, they live on in our hearts.
Please accept our most heartfelt condolences.
Special love Mike & Annie xx
Debz will always be in our hearts & thoughts,
with her beautiful smile & sparkling eyes.
All the darkness in the world,
Cannot extinguish the light from a single candle.
St. Francis of Assisi
Those we love don’t go away;
they walk beside us in our hearts and memories every day.
They can never be more than a thought away; for as long as there’s a memory, they live on in our hearts.
Please accept our most heartfelt condolences.
Special love Mike & Annie xx
Debz will always be in our hearts & thoughts,
with her beautiful smile & sparkling eyes.
All the darkness in the world,
Cannot extinguish the light from a single candle.
St. Francis of Assisi
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My last time seeing you , an absolute blessing
Love you dear sister
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My dear Siste,
How will we go on without you?
You have been my role model, my partner in crime and I can’t imagine life without you in it.
You were always so happy and smiling. Always positive and fiercely encouraging of all our kids. Nothing gave you more joy than just loving and caring for your family, especially Xmas time in Michigan...what memories we made!
We will keep your memory in our hearts and find solace in our memories of you. Your legacy will live on through your kids.
We love you and may you Rest In Peace my dear sister.
How will we go on without you?
You have been my role model, my partner in crime and I can’t imagine life without you in it.
You were always so happy and smiling. Always positive and fiercely encouraging of all our kids. Nothing gave you more joy than just loving and caring for your family, especially Xmas time in Michigan...what memories we made!
We will keep your memory in our hearts and find solace in our memories of you. Your legacy will live on through your kids.
We love you and may you Rest In Peace my dear sister.