Debbie Starkey Obituary

STARKEY -Debbie Starkey lost her fight against breast cancer on Sunday, September 11th and passed away at 10:00 a.m. in the Dove H ouse, a hospice facility in Whittier. A resident of Whittier, California Debbie was born in Idaho Falls, ID in 1951 and spent her childhood years living around the country, as her father was in the Navy. Debbie graduated from Wiapahu High in Hawaii. She was a member of the USA Marine Corp. during the Vietnam Conflict. She settled in Whittier in 1971 where she continued her education and earned her degree. Debbie worked in the credit union industry for over 25 years holding various positions until specializi ng in the audit field. She was a member of the Credit Union Internal Auditor Assoc., Information Systems Audit & Control Assoc., International Internal Auditors Assoc. where she was named auditor of the year of 2004-2005, and was on the Board of Governors for the Orange County Chapter of the California Credit Union League. Debbie served as Webmaster for all of these associations as well as the Friends of Breast Cancer Program for UCLA Medical Center. Her body will be cremated and a memorial service will be held on September 24th at 11:00 a.m. in the Sky Rose Chapel of Rose Hills Cemetery, 3888 Workman Mills Rd., Whittier, CA 90601. She is survived by her husband, Dale Starkey, of Whittier; daughter and son-in-law Kristy & Dave Torres of Anaheim; granddaughter, Alyse Daoud of Anaheim; daughter Stephanie Fox of Huntington Beach; stepchildren Denise and David Starkey of Whittier; father and mother, Roger & Dora Jean Shoemaker of Lynchburg, VA; sister and brother-in-law Dana & Rusty Penney of Baton Rouge, La; bro ther, Dale Shoemaker of South Park, CO; sister and brother-in-law Darla & Glen Smith of Citra, FL and nephews Jerry Hogan of Jacksonville, FL and Shawn Shoemaker of Baton Rouge, LA; and nieces Jennifer Hutchinson of Orland, FL, Cathy Barbos of Ocala, FL, and Ashley Shoemaker of South Park, CO; and numerous other family members and friends. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to support the charity that was close to Debbie's heart. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day Event. Donations can made online at www.breastcancer3-day.org San Diego event for Jane Waller, who will be walking the 60 mile Breast Cancer 3-Day Event to honor Debbie, or by mailing a check made payable to Breast Cancer 3-Day to Jane Waller, c/o OCTFCU, P O Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA 92711. You may also make a donation to a charity of your choice.

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Published by Whittier Daily News on Sep. 17, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Debbie Starkey

2 Entries

LAUREN MAKUCH

September 22, 2005

My sincere deepest sympathy to the family. May all the Lords blessings be with you at this time of sorrow and always. Debbie's joyous and bright being will live long after she's past. I will remember her smiles, kindness and generosity. I'm in training with a young woman by the name of Patty Lizotte who will be doing the 3 day walk. On the 3-day banner we've added a pink ribbon with Debbie's name in memory of.

Dana Penny

September 17, 2005

I was asked if I would like for Jane to read a few words from me at Debbie's memorial service since I was not going to be able to be there. I said no, what could I possibly say about her that everyone did not already know? As days passed I changed my mind, and thought I would post what I had to say her in cyberspace. Everyone has their memories of my sister that they will always cherish. Some, that will you laugh out loud just thinking about. Debbie and I were very close when we were growing up, as we grew and went our separate ways, our communication was less frequent, due to both of our busy schedules. When Debbie was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer, she told me that Life is too short and precious to waste. From that time forward we talked nearly every day. At times would be just for a min, and others, for hours at end. Debbie knew in her heart that the Cancer would claim her, but she was determined to fight it as long as she had fight in her. She asked me years ago to make her a memorial card for her. So through emails we worked together on it. Then I tucked it away and really did not give much more thought to it. Debbie had beaten Cancer, so I thought. Debbie continued to live life to the fullest and enjoy everything she did. She was a kind, strong and loving person. ( she was always known as the "Sweet one" in the family) She lived her last years not for herself, but everyone else that she loved. Because of Debbie, we had a family reunion in Orlando, when she was scheduled to be there for a seminar in 2002. That was the first time all four kids were in the same place at the same time in 23 yrs. She recruited me as part of her Crew for the LA 2004 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation 3-day. WOW, what memories! Everyone should try to go to an event weekend somewhere, sometime. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life. In May of this year when she called me and said she could no longer take care of herself, and asked me to come help her, she also reminded me to bring her memorial card. She directed me to take care of a few changes, then signed her message to all of you. I then got to spend time with Debbie, I camped out with her in her hospital room and then when the Hospice house opened their arms to Debbie, They opened then to me as well. they let me stay there with her 24/7. We talked about many things. She would talk about her children, Kristy, Stephanie, Denise and David, and her granddaughter Alyse, who she just adored. Her friends, and work!!! My God she loved her work and everyone she worked with. Debbie would talk about her visions, some said it was just her hallucinating, but she told me that she saw two men following me and that they were with me everywhere. When I asked her to describe them. I knew exactly who one was. It was a dear friend of mine that had past away 26 yrs prior. ( that Debbie never knew of) Then other, it could be one of a few. She also said that Not all angles have wings! The one thing that I find myself thinking about she said was: "First, be good to yourself, and be good to EVERYONE you meet. Everyone is related to everyone, to everyone, to everyone. ( that is what Debbie repeated, not a typo) Because when the end of your time comes, that is all that will mater." Something to think about! If you are not able to attend Debbie's memorial service and would like one of her cards... email me and I would be more than honored to send you an electronic copy. [email protected]

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