Deborah Dee Simmons Richardson

Deborah Dee Simmons Richardson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on July 6, 2025 at the age of 71.
Debbie was born on March 13, 1954, in Washington, D.C., to Boyd and MarRue Simmons. Shortly after her birth, her family relocated to Seattle, Washington, and later to Salmon, Idaho, where she spent her formative years with her seven siblings Kerry, Jude, Robert, Kathy, Jim, David, and Sara, and her foster brother Joseph Firecrow. She graduated from Salmon High School in June 1972 and went on to study nursing at Brigham Young University that fall.
Debbie was married to Daniel Noorlander Jr. from 1975 to 2008, and together they raised seven children: Jamison, Danny, Spencer, Jennica, Reed, Nate, and Katelynn. Debbie worked as a nurse before dedicating herself full-time to raising her children-a role she embraced with deep devotion, love, and energy.
Debbie had an extraordinary gift for making people feel seen, loved, and important. Her life was marked by quiet, consistent service, and she touched countless lives through her compassion and care. In her later years, she recertified as a nurse and returned to the field until stepping away in 2018 due to health concerns.
In March of 2017, Debbie reconnected with an old friend from her BYU days, Dave Richardson. Their friendship blossomed into a deep love, and they were married on July 11, 2019. The following year, on July 11, 2020, they were sealed for time and all eternity. Dave was a devoted partner through Debbie's health challenges, standing faithfully by her side as she faced cancer, heart surgery, a brain aneurysm, and dementia.
Debbie's legacy lives on in her seven children and twenty-two grandchildren, each a testament to her love, faith, and strength. She is survived by her husband Dave; her children Jamison, Danny, Jennica, Reed, Nate, and Katelynn with their spouses and children; and her siblings Jude, Robert, Kathy, Jim, David, and Sara.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Boyd and MarRue Simmons; her brother Kerry Simmons; foster brother Joseph Firecrow; and her beloved son Spencer Noorlander.
A funeral service to celebrate Debbie's life will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the LDS Church building located at 1674 N 200 W, Orem, Utah 84057. There will be a brief visitation prior to the funeral, from 9:30-10:30AM. For those unable to attend the service in person, a Zoom broadcast has been made available: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86481743556
Meeting ID: 864 8174 3556
In lieu of a visitation on Friday evening, the family has requested that you please share your memories with Debbie on the site's memory page.
Debbie was a light in every room, a refuge to many, and a servant in every sense of the word. Her memory will continue to inspire and uplift all who were blessed to know her.
"My contribution has been to keep putting one foot in front of the other, love everyone, especially family, and never give up."
-Debbie Dee Simmons Richardson