Debra "Debbie" Lynn Cogdill
August 18, 1953 - November 28, 2025
Debra Lynn Cogdill, lovingly known as "Debbie," passed away after a brave two-year battle with aggressive ovarian cancer. She left this world in the same way she lived in it—on her own timetable—once again proving that the old saying "Death waits for no one" simply didn't apply to Debbie, as she made him wait until she was good and ready.
Debbie was born on August 18, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, to Raul Manuel Urbina and Evelyn Ruth Urbina (née Dennis). The eldest of eight children born within ten bustling years, she took naturally to the role of determined—sometimes demanding—big sister in a home overflowing with noise, movement, and chaos. In 1960, the family moved from Logan Square to Elk Grove Village, where Debbie grew up and proudly graduated with the Elk Grove High School Class of 1971.
After high school, Debbie explored a wide variety of jobs, each adding its own chapter to her story. Her greatest joy, however, came with motherhood. She welcomed her daughter, Diana Marie, in 1983, and her son, Derek Adam, in 1988, whom she shared with William Steven Cogdill. They were the apples of her eye in every way—even if she expressed that love in wonderfully unconventional Debbie-style ways.
In the early 1990s, Debbie became a born-again Christian, a turning point that shaped her life and strengthened her spirit. She remained deeply active in her church communities across Chicagoland for decades, forming friendships rooted in fellowship, prayer, and shared purpose.
Never one to be told what to do, Debbie forged her own path by opening an in-home daycare in 1992. Over the years, she cared for hundreds of children, all affectionately calling her "Miss Debbie." She poured patient, joyful, imaginative energy into every child she nurtured, leaving an imprint on countless families.
In 2022, Debbie took a leap of faith and moved to Alabama to be closer to her mother. She treasured the time she spent with her cousins, aunts, uncles, and sisters, reconnecting deeply with her family roots.
Her grandchildren called her "GG"—a name she proudly chose for herself and made sure everyone knew stood for "Gorgeous Grannie." She adored her granddaughters Eleanor Grace, Caralyn Mae, Lilian Joy, Josephine Catherine Cogdill, and her grandsons Logan Anthony and Landry Emerson Wirkus. They were her pride, her joy, and her greatest earthly blessings.
A master horticulturist with a wonderfully imaginative streak, Debbie eagerly grew anything that captured her curiosity—tobacco plants, Brussels sprout stalks, climbing clematis, and more. She approached life at her own pace—never rushed, not even when simply getting out of the car—and she saw no reason to change that.
And then, of course, there was her favorite past time: naps. Debbie loved naps with a passion rarely seen this side of heaven. She napped every single day of her life, and no one was safe: Muppet Treasure Island? Nap. Post-Christmas dinner? Nap. A quiet afternoon with grandkids running around? Nap. She cherished her naps the way some people cherish fine art—fully, unapologetically, and with great dedication. They were, in their own way, her spiritual practice.
Debbie also believed deeply in the healing power of food. She ate so much garlic she could have repelled vampires single-handedly ("It's good for you!" and "Eat your colors!" she always insisted), and once made black bean brownies that nearly caused a full-scale riot at Christmas. Her culinary adventures were legendary—sometimes brilliant, sometimes baffling, but always memorable.
Family was everything to Debbie. She thrived in the joyful chaos of large family gatherings, stuffing too many people into a too-small house filled with hot food, loud laughter, and the kind of love that spilled out the doors and windows. She made sure her children grew up deeply connected to their extended family, forming bonds and memories that will last generations.
Her battle with cancer was long and difficult, though few people ever knew the extent of her suffering. She met every challenge with grit, humor, and stubborn resilience, fighting fiercely until the very end.
Debbie is survived by her children, Diana Wirkus (Miles) and Derek Cogdill; her beloved grandchildren; her mother, Evelyn; and her seven siblings: Susan Weslander (Kenneth), Janet Moticka (David), David Urbina (Pamela), Patricia Borst, Carol Gibson, Daniel Urbina (Danielle), and Steven Urbina (Tammie). She was also a proud aunt to 22 nieces and nephews and 10 great-nieces and nephews—all of whom she loved to brag about.
She is preceded in death by her father, Raul; her brother-in-law Hank Borst; her sister-in-law Tamara Mace Urbina; and her faithful dog, Gus—who undoubtedly greeted her with a wagging tail and a piece of corned beef brisket in his mouth.
Debbie was a force of nature—funny, stubborn, faithful, loving in her own particular way, and entirely her own. She leaves behind a legacy of family, laughter, gardens, recipes, and stories that will be told for years to come. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
A Celebration of Life will be held in March 2026 in Alabama. In keeping with Debbie's wish to go out with a BIG party, all are welcome to join.
August 18, 1953 - November 28, 2025
Debra Lynn Cogdill, lovingly known as "Debbie," passed away after a brave two-year battle with aggressive ovarian cancer. She left this world in the same way she lived in it—on her own timetable—once again proving that the old saying "Death waits for no one" simply didn't apply to Debbie, as she made him wait until she was good and ready.
Debbie was born on August 18, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, to Raul Manuel Urbina and Evelyn Ruth Urbina (née Dennis). The eldest of eight children born within ten bustling years, she took naturally to the role of determined—sometimes demanding—big sister in a home overflowing with noise, movement, and chaos. In 1960, the family moved from Logan Square to Elk Grove Village, where Debbie grew up and proudly graduated with the Elk Grove High School Class of 1971.
After high school, Debbie explored a wide variety of jobs, each adding its own chapter to her story. Her greatest joy, however, came with motherhood. She welcomed her daughter, Diana Marie, in 1983, and her son, Derek Adam, in 1988, whom she shared with William Steven Cogdill. They were the apples of her eye in every way—even if she expressed that love in wonderfully unconventional Debbie-style ways.
In the early 1990s, Debbie became a born-again Christian, a turning point that shaped her life and strengthened her spirit. She remained deeply active in her church communities across Chicagoland for decades, forming friendships rooted in fellowship, prayer, and shared purpose.
Never one to be told what to do, Debbie forged her own path by opening an in-home daycare in 1992. Over the years, she cared for hundreds of children, all affectionately calling her "Miss Debbie." She poured patient, joyful, imaginative energy into every child she nurtured, leaving an imprint on countless families.
In 2022, Debbie took a leap of faith and moved to Alabama to be closer to her mother. She treasured the time she spent with her cousins, aunts, uncles, and sisters, reconnecting deeply with her family roots.
Her grandchildren called her "GG"—a name she proudly chose for herself and made sure everyone knew stood for "Gorgeous Grannie." She adored her granddaughters Eleanor Grace, Caralyn Mae, Lilian Joy, Josephine Catherine Cogdill, and her grandsons Logan Anthony and Landry Emerson Wirkus. They were her pride, her joy, and her greatest earthly blessings.
A master horticulturist with a wonderfully imaginative streak, Debbie eagerly grew anything that captured her curiosity—tobacco plants, Brussels sprout stalks, climbing clematis, and more. She approached life at her own pace—never rushed, not even when simply getting out of the car—and she saw no reason to change that.
And then, of course, there was her favorite past time: naps. Debbie loved naps with a passion rarely seen this side of heaven. She napped every single day of her life, and no one was safe: Muppet Treasure Island? Nap. Post-Christmas dinner? Nap. A quiet afternoon with grandkids running around? Nap. She cherished her naps the way some people cherish fine art—fully, unapologetically, and with great dedication. They were, in their own way, her spiritual practice.
Debbie also believed deeply in the healing power of food. She ate so much garlic she could have repelled vampires single-handedly ("It's good for you!" and "Eat your colors!" she always insisted), and once made black bean brownies that nearly caused a full-scale riot at Christmas. Her culinary adventures were legendary—sometimes brilliant, sometimes baffling, but always memorable.
Family was everything to Debbie. She thrived in the joyful chaos of large family gatherings, stuffing too many people into a too-small house filled with hot food, loud laughter, and the kind of love that spilled out the doors and windows. She made sure her children grew up deeply connected to their extended family, forming bonds and memories that will last generations.
Her battle with cancer was long and difficult, though few people ever knew the extent of her suffering. She met every challenge with grit, humor, and stubborn resilience, fighting fiercely until the very end.
Debbie is survived by her children, Diana Wirkus (Miles) and Derek Cogdill; her beloved grandchildren; her mother, Evelyn; and her seven siblings: Susan Weslander (Kenneth), Janet Moticka (David), David Urbina (Pamela), Patricia Borst, Carol Gibson, Daniel Urbina (Danielle), and Steven Urbina (Tammie). She was also a proud aunt to 22 nieces and nephews and 10 great-nieces and nephews—all of whom she loved to brag about.
She is preceded in death by her father, Raul; her brother-in-law Hank Borst; her sister-in-law Tamara Mace Urbina; and her faithful dog, Gus—who undoubtedly greeted her with a wagging tail and a piece of corned beef brisket in his mouth.
Debbie was a force of nature—funny, stubborn, faithful, loving in her own particular way, and entirely her own. She leaves behind a legacy of family, laughter, gardens, recipes, and stories that will be told for years to come. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
A Celebration of Life will be held in March 2026 in Alabama. In keeping with Debbie's wish to go out with a BIG party, all are welcome to join.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Debra Lynn Cogdill, please visit our flower store.
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