DEBORAH MAE KIRWAN

I knew Debbie from growing up in lincolnwood and as a classmate at Niles west. Not only was she the kindest person Ive ever known but she was also the most attractive in every way. In 1978 she was the 5th grade girls camp counselor @ the Lincolnwood summer rec camp, and i was the 5th grade boys counselor . She was such a special person with the children , she made all of us feel like we were on summer vacation, it was a pleasure every day to work with her. She was also a great athlete and to describe her " a wonderful woman and a life "well lived"!! My heartfelt thoughts and prayers to her family!!! Bobby Mittel.

I JUST HEARD OF DEBBIE'S PASSING . I'M SHOCKED AND SADDENED .WE WERE CHILDHOOD FRIENDS & HAD LOST TOUCH OVER THE YEARS.MY THOUGHT AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HER FAMILY .

Dear Kirwan family - Debbie was a sorority sister of mine at U of I. She was a classic blonde Alpha Chi beauty in every way. Just seeing her photo brought back wonderful memories of those days. She became even more beautiful with age and it seems the way she lived her life as well. I am very sorry to hear of her struggle with cancer. My prayers are with your family during this very difficult time. Pat Kane Moore

Jim,Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I remember our coaching days at Gibson City when we began our careers in 1978. I am saddended by your loss. Dr. Jim Dunnan - Supt @ Washington High School

My heart & prayers go out to the Kirwan Family!!!! Mrs. Kirwan was a beautiful person that touched the lives of everyone she knew, one of those lives being mine....I'll never forget all she did for me during my HS years at Hinsdale South! I came in my jounior year from being homeschooled & as you can imagine it was a HUGE adjustment but Mrs. Kirwan made the transition sooo much easier & I couldn't of done it without her!!!! Your always be in the hearts of each one of us that had the honor of knowing you <3 Class of 2005

To the Kirwan Family,
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing on of Debbie. She was truly a wonderful and dedicated teacher who inspired all to "reach for the stars!"
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May you find comfort in knowing that fond memories will always remain in your hearts and minds.

I am sorry to hear of Debra's passing. She was my teacher at Fairview many many years ago.

Debbie is a person who will be sadly missed. She was an inspiration to all who worked with her. She will be in my prayers.

Jim, deepest sympathies from my family to yours. I have only the fondest memories of Debbie during U of I days, ski trips and generally "enjoying life". She really was special, and will truly be missed.

Mr Kirwan
So sorry to hear about the loss of Mrs Kirwan. She was a great teacher and person. You and your family are in our prayers.

Claudine Borkovec Boettger
Hinsdale South High School
Class of 1986

Dear Jim, Tara and Jenna, Our family is deeply saddened by your loss. We all have the fondest memories of our time together. Deb always had time for our family and we always knew that she cared for us and everyone she touched felt the same way. We will always remember her smiling, friendly and heartfelt demeanor. Our prayers go out to her and your family

Mrs. Kirwan was my academic advisor, and she was wonderful to me. She was so intelligent, kind, and thoughtful. Any experience I had with her was a positive one. She helped me so much when I was looking at colleges, and I always knew she truly cared about my future. I am saddened to hear that she has passed away. I send many condolences to her family. May they be comforted by friends and loved ones.

Sincerely,

Deanna Morelli
Hinsdale South High School, Class of 2005

Tara and Jenna-
What a legacy your mom leaves. She was a woman of integrity, grace, and courage. She was kind to everyone. We are so sorry you lost your wonderful mother.
Jim-
We will treasure our mini reunion in Chicago last year at the parade and Knickerbocker. We are so sorry you lost your beautiful, courageous, fun, loving wife.
Mac and Nancy McCracken
Whitefish Montana

Dear Jim and Debbie's family,
I came into contact with this wonderful person you called a wife, mother, daughter at Hinsdale South, and to me she was a great person and a friend. I remember her smile, laugh and most of all she was nice to all she came in contact with every day. She will be missed in my heart and I know right now she is in a better place with no pain and smiling at all, saying stop making so much fuss and think only of all the good times. If there is anything I can do for you, I will be happy to help.
Char Wagenaar

I was deeply saddened to hear of Debbie's death. Happily, we were able to see each other briefly a few summers ago and catch up on Tara and our son Jim. My prayers go out to the entire family for God's healing.

Dear Mr. Kirwan,

I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Kirwan. She was a sweet, wonderful person. I will always remember our picnic lunches with her during our track meets. Keeping you and your family in our prayers. Pam (Kolniak) Nawrocki, Green Lake, WI - Class of 83'

Jim, Tara, and Jenna MEMORIES ... Fond and special as they may be. Most will take you from tears to laughter. We all have fond memories of Debbie, one is her contagous laugh/smile, and, she ALWAYS kept lipstick on! You my friend can count on my prayers ...

Mr.Kirwin and family, Your in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.Mrs.Kirwin was an awesome teacher and great soccer coach! She will be missed by everyone. She is truly an inspiration to all and I was so lucky to have been able to know her as a teacher, coach and a friend.

Our sincere condolences to your family. You are in our thoughts.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jim
My deepest sympathy and condolences to your family. Debbie fought a courageous battle for a long time and serves as an inspiration to many.

Mike Boehler

My husband and I were so sorry to learn of Debbie's passing. Our prayers go out to all of you during this difficult time. Caroline and Ron Leban, Foxhill Place, Darien

Deb epitomized the word "lady" more than anyone I have ever known! She was grace-filled, caring, and loving -- always asking about your own family, and wanting to know how things were going in your life. She modeled courage, grace, and faith to all of us. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to know her!

Debbie was a beautiful woman and fought for the life she loved so much. She always had a smile and a kind word. Our family is saddened by the news of Debbie's passing. Our sincere condolences to your entire family... Pat and Rosanne Byrne and family

Words cannot express the sympathy we feel for the Kirwan family on the loss of Debbie. She was such a wonderful person and will be deeply missed.

A very nice and friendly lady whho took her job very seriously.

Deb was a sorority sister and friend in college. I have wonderful memories of a kind and beautiful girl. My deepest sympathies to all who knew her as the woman she became.

Debbie helped our son find his way and she never gave up on him. May she rest in peace.

Debbie was a wonderful and beautiful person.My thoughts and prayers to her family
Jay Kramer-former coach Hinsdale C.

Debbie was my very best friend in college. We were sorority sisters, cheerleaders, and roommates. I can't think of any part of college and not think of the fun times Debbie and I had together. Debbie was beautiful in every way, I am thankful to have so many wonderful memories. My sympathy goes out to Jim, Tara, and Jenna. Debbie was the best and will be in my heart forever.

Our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to Jim, Tara, Jenna and the rest of Debbie family. We have lost a good neighbor and will miss her.

For the Homeowners Association of Carriage Way West

I was one of Debbie's students at Fairview, I remember being so excited when I saw our new beautiful teacher. i think it might have been her first teaching job after she left the Bears. we were so lucky and blessed to have her, especially us girls considering all the other gym teachers were male. i'm pretty sure the boys were happy about it too, every one of them had a huge crush on her! I have thought about her often over the years and always with a smile. I am so very sorry to hear of her passing, i hope that all you can find comfort in all the wonderful things that people have shared with you. my deepest sympathy to you and you family at this sad time.

Debbie has fough a hard fight and I am so proud to have called her my friend. I'm so proud of how strong she has been through all of this journey. She will continue to inspire me and many others on how to live. God has called Debbie to be with him, along side of him which is a great gift for her. Those who called her wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend are left in pain. But her pain is no more. God will pull you through the tears as he gives us strength to do all things if we just believe. And always know Tara and Jenna that she will be watching and guilding you forever. Love to you all, The Bekkedal Family
(Your Long Lake Family)

On behalf of the Lake Park Lancettes, our hearts ache for you Coach Tara Kirwan. Your LP family is here for you, and we extend our deepest sympathies to you, Jim, and Jenna.

Dear Jim, girls and Deb's parents. My deepest sympathies, words cannot express. I remember with fondness our U of I days and our families getting together later with our daughters when they were small. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will keep Deb in my heart.
Nanette (Owsiak "Oaks") Jacobs

Debbie Kirwan is an inspirational colleague who always put her family first and never tired of helping students succeed. She set the bar high for all of us and was a wonderful person and role model.

Deb was a most extraordinary, beautiful woman both inside and out. She will be missed by all whose pathes she crossed. Her beautiful daughters will carry on her legacy for generations to come. Our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to Jim, Tara, Jenna and the rest of Deb's family. You will all be in our prayers. With condolences and love, The Passero Family - Bill & Joyce, Cora & Tony, Callin, Casey, and Clayton

Debbie Kirwan was always an amazing colleague, so senstive, smart, and inspiring. Her dedication to Jim and her daughters was steadfastly her #1 priority. I will truly miss her as a dear friend and role model.
Suzanne Strohschein

Debbie & Jim were great neighbors of ours in north Downers Grove when their girls were very young. We have only fond memories of everything about Debbie - she had a zest for life few of us find the energy to muster. Blessings and love to Jim, Tara and Jenna - and to the many other lives that were impacted by Debbie.

Jim, Tara and Jenna....our hearts simply ache for you. No words can express our saddness. You are in our thoughts and prayers. The Jim Della Chiesa Family

Debbie was my best friend and I will always love her miss her. Anything I can do to help Jim and the girlsI will do.

Deborah's colleagues at the National Association for College Admission Counseling offer condolences to her family. She was a valued member and colleague for many years. We will miss her.
Jim Miller
NACAC President-elect

Deborah and Jim were two of the most respected staff in Hinsdale 86. I always had a high respect for both of them. I am deeply saddened by the loss of Debbie.
John Thorson, former Superintendent