Debra Ann Massa

On December 10th, in the early hours of the morning, Debra Ann Massa was called home to be with the Lord.
Debbie was born to Arthur and Louanne Lampert on Jan 21st, 1954. She was truly the apple of her parent's eyes. Showering her with love; it is how Debbie learned to love. And she loved well.
Growing up on South Shore (White Bear Lake), with her Mother as her favorite play mate and her Dad as her best friend was something she always cherished. As a child and teenager she acquired wonderful friendships that she carried close to her heart for over 50 years. Memories were made that will last many lifetimes. Memories of lakes and sunshine, of tea parties, chasing Rebecca Gooley around, driving too fast, and living life to the fullest.
In the summer of 1978. She married Joseph Massa. Just a couple of crazy kids, both from White Bear. One from an only child family (which she was quite proud of), one of a family of seven children. They blended their lives together and called the White Bear area their forever home. Building a life together and starting a family would bring her deep joy for the rest of her years.
She became first a mother to Jaymi in 1981 and then to Jayson in 1982. These two kept Debbie (and Joe) on her toes. She would often reminisce how it felt to have Jaymi watch her put her make up on for work, how she loved caring for Jayson at all times, and how her and Joe just understood each other in a way that no one else did. She loved nothing more than taking her family up North to the cabin. Where once again, memories were made that would last many lifetimes. Her family (given and chosen) is what truly filled her heart, during all stages in her life.
In 2000, Maddie (Jaymi's Daughter) made Debbie a Nana. A title that she held as dearly as the title of Mother. She adored Maddie and they became extremely close over the years. In 2007, Alexandra (Jaymi's second Daughter) came on the scene and once again Debbie got to hold a beautiful girl as an addition to her family. In 2013, Amelia (Jayson's Daughter) was born, and it rounded out her Grandchildren. Three beautiful girls, in their own rights. All three extremely different, but loved equally in their own respects. She would often say: "what beauties" when they walked into a room. They gave her a joy and a love that is eternal.
Debbie was a lot of things to many people. She was a friend. A keeper of memories and sunshine. She was a wife. She was a mother, a nana, mother in law, friend, ect. She knew who she was. With no apologies. While summer time brought her deep joy, it was spending time with her family that filled her heart, regardless of the season. Everyone under one roof at the same time. The joy that she was experienced in those moments was contagious. Every time the family was together a memory was made. Whether it was: forgetting to add cheese into the cheesy potatoes, eating "properly", taking an abundance of pictures (which we are now so thankful for), playing board games, tickling your back, or just her laugh. Her laugh. It will be with us forever. As well as her love.
Debbie was taught how to love people by her parents. When she loved, she loved hard. She understood that love is an act of service. Love means the little things. The small moments. It's the notes that she wrote on envelopes letting you know how much she loved you. It was the worry that she carried with her, it was in the abundance of pictures in every corner of her life, it was the coupon clipping, give you a lecture because "I want the best for you" kind of love. Her love. We will miss that.
Undoubtedly, when she entered heaven, there waiting for her was her beloved Mother, Father and her "boy" (her son; Jayson). The four of them reunited. It brings peace to our souls. They are together once again. Until we are reunited again, we will find comfort and peace in warm sunshine, diamonds on the lake, salty over sweet, and a deep love of our family.
The Massa family would like to send a special thank you to the staff and team at Harmony Gardens, in Maplewood and Brighton Hospice for caring for our loved one during her final chapter.
Visitation will be at Honsa Family funeral homes in White Bear Lake on December 16, from 5-7pm. Private Family Interment at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis on Wednesday December 17 at 11 AM. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Debra, please visit our floral store.