Debbie A Nelson

Debbie Ann Nelson, 68, of Sylvania, Ohio, entered Heaven's gates peacefully on Wednesday, October 29th, 2025
under Hospice care while at the Franciscan Care Center in Sylvania. She was two days shy of celebrating her 69th birthday.
Debbie was adopted at just three weeks old by a wonderful couple in November of 1956.
Growing up in Toledo, Ohio, she attended grade school at OLPH and was an alumni of Bowser High School.
In the early 1970's, Debbie opened up her own ambulance service in Toledo called "South Valley Ambulance," making her
the first woman in the state of Ohio to own and operate her own EMS service.
In 1986, she wound up selling the company to Flower Hospital. She continued working as an EMT while studying Law Enforcement
at Owen's Community College.
Debbie had many jobs throughout her years, from working security for Sun Oil to several years with West Park Place as the
front desk secretary, and finally nearly 20 years with Sylvania Schools as a bus driver and paraprofessional. She always said that
that job was by far her most favorite. She loved working with kids, getting them to school in the mornings and safely home each afternoon.
In March of 1987, she married Bruce (Sandy) Nelson. They welcomed their first daughter, Melissa Ann, in November of '87 and their second, Kathryn Leigh,
in July of '89. Debbie was a loving mother who always had her girls looking pretty for school in the cutest outfits. She had a hobby
making t-shirts and sweaters for her girls and family members, especially during Christmas time. She made the most beautiful Christmas sweaters
for her girls. It was a family tradition for many years that every birthday cake be purchased from Wixey's Bakery in south Toledo. Debbie was their biggest fan of their cakes, but usually only ate the frosting. She loved nothing more than washing everything down with a nice, ice-cold Diet Coke.
There was always a family gathering on Halloween to celebrate both Debbie's birthday and her mom's since they were only one
day apart. Out of all of Debbie's passions in life, her greatest was her love for animals. Growing up she always had a few dogs,
cats, a rabbit, and even a ferret. Over the years she rescued many senior dogs, including some with disabilities. When she fell in love with a dog, it quickly became glued to her hip, curled up at her feet, or in her lap.
She is proceeded in death by her parents, William in 2009 and Sophie in 2023; and her adopted brother, Lawrence in 2002.
Debbie is survived by her husband and best friend of over forty years, Bruce; daughters Melissa (Jacob); Katie (Jeremiah); grandchildren,
Gavin William and Aubrianna Rose; very special cousin, Patti Begin, Uncle Max Well, as well as many other extended family members and beloved friends.
Our family would like to thank Hospice of Northwest Ohio for the care they gave Debbie. Also, a very special thank you to Debbie's longtime friend, Beth Keil,
for the love, help, and support she has shown our family this past week.
It was Debbie's wish for cremation over any type of showing, and in lieu of flowers, hoped her friends might consider making a donation to the Toledo Humane Society.