Debbie Saunders

Deborah Catherine Saunders, 69, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2025. Debbie was born on November 17, 1955, in San Tomé, Venezuela to Catherine and Roger West. She is survived by her devoted husband Kenwyn Saunders, children Emma (Thomas) Limatola and Richard (Catherine) Saunders, and beloved grandchildren Kathryn & Owen Limatola and Arthur & Adaira Saunders.

Debbie was born to British parents and raised around the world in Venezuela, Nigeria, Denmark, Italy, and England before setting roots in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey. Educated at Felixstowe College and Malvern Girls' College in England, she then read chemistry for her Bachelor's Degree and earned a Masters in analytical chemistry at The University of Bristol. At Bristol, she and Ken met through an exchange of illegible chemistry notes and undeniable chemistry, later marrying in 1978.

Her family is grateful to Debbie for her love, guidance, and the grace she showed modeling a life of service to her communities. She showed this through commitment to a variety of organizations representative of her values across decades, most recently Northern Highlands Regional High School, the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, and the Ho-Ho-Kus Garden Club. Debbie was also a devoted member of the Community Church. Her life was enriched by the friendships that came from her participation in each of these groups.

Although Debbie took her obligations to her family and communities seriously, she did not take herself seriously and enjoyed laughter. Among her varied passions: gardening, penguins, reading the ends of books first, fino sherry, travel, her grandchildren, and the comfort of a steady routine.

Information regarding visitation and a memorial service is below. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the J.A. McFaul Environmental Center. Donations can be mailed to J.A. McFaul Environment Center, 150 Crescent Ave, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. Please note JAMEC Trust Fund in the check's memo.