Deborah J. Tessmann

A Legacy of Love.... Deborah (Debbie) Joan Tessmann (n‚e Weeks), 70, passed away peacefully in San Diego on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 10:24 AM after struggling with kidney failure over the past few years. She was born on December 13, 1953, in Sacramento and moved to San Diego with her parents and older sister when she was five, where she spent the remaining years of her life.Her family lineage, on both sides, traces back to the early American settlers of the 1600s. In her younger years, Debbie excelled at basketball and was known as a free spirit. She cherished the summers spent with her grandparents and cousins in Webster City, Iowa, reflecting on those times with great happiness. She attended Santana High School in Santee, where she met and married her first husband and father of her children, Steve Harris.Debbie was known for being loving, generous, and funny. Her life was driven by the love she had for her children and grandchildren. She had a passion for poetry and art, using both to express herself when words failed her. She had a special connection with and a deep love for all animals, particularly dogs, cats, and horses. Despite facing significant challenges, including mental illness, she was a fighter and lived with courage, patience and grace. She taught those around her that no matter what cards life deals you, it is worth living and living well.Debbie is survived by her daughter, Brandi (Patrick) Mulvey; her grandchildren, Kathleen Mulvey, Grace Mulvey, and Liam Mulvey; her step-grandchildren, Patrick Mulvey, Jr., Erin (Douglas) Fortune, and Maureen Mulvey; and five step-great-grandchildren, all living in San Diego. She is also survived by her sister, Janey Spangler; her niece, Elizabeth (Gary) Mattson; her nephew, Charles Spangler; and seven grand nieces and nephews all residing in Iowa. She was preceded in death by her son, Steven Turk Harris; and her parents, Harvey Weeks, Jr. and Joan Weeks (Remley).A Requiem Mass will be held at St. Anne Catholic Church in San Diego to pray for her soul. Her final resting place will be at Graceland Cemetery in Webster City, Iowa, where she will join her parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and other family members. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the UC San Diego Cognitive Assessment and Risk Evaluation (CARE) Program, honoring Deborah's lifelong struggle with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Depression.Deborah's kindness, humor, and gentle spirit will be deeply missed but forever remembered by all who knew her.