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FUNERAL HOME

O'Connor Brothers Funeral Home Inc

592 Park Ave

Worcester, Massachusetts

Debra Giza Obituary

Debra Anne (Wise) Giza

Paxton - Debra Anne (Wise) Giza, 59, of Paxton died peacefully and unexpectedly Friday, December 12th at home. She leaves her husband of 40 years, Stephen P. Giza; two sons, Matthew J. Giza and his wife, Jennifer (Majchrzak) Giza of El Paso, TX and Michael A. Giza of Paxton; a brother, Gary Wise and his wife, Diane of Worcester; two sisters, Doreen Sharp of Oxford and Patty Henry and her husband, Martin of Rutland; a grandson, Matthew S. Giza and many nieces and nephews.

She was born in Worcester the daughter of Harry and Sandy (Ames) Wise. Debra was an adoption specialist for 17 years with New Bedford Child and Family Services where she supported many adoptive families with her wisdom, wit and heart of gold. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling, up to camp and lobster.

Her funeral is Friday, December 19th from O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, Worcester with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main Street, Worcester. Burial will be at a later date. Calling hours are Thursday, December 18th from 4:00 until 7:00 PM in the funeral home.

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Published by Worcester Telegram & Gazette from Dec. 16 to Dec. 17, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Debra Giza

23 Entries

Wendy Younger

December 20, 2014

I am still stunned at the passing of such a young, vital, lady. I know that words mean little when faced with such sorrow but I am so very, very, sorry. My prayers are with you.

Suzie Tavano

December 19, 2014

Steve, Matt and Mike, May the memories you shared sustain you through the difficult days ahead. I am so sorry I can't be there for the services but please know that I am with you in spirit. A lot of hearts are broken because of her passing, she was taken away much too soon. My deepest condolences to each of you, her sisters and brother. With much heartache, Suzie

Jen Gorski (Henderson)

December 18, 2014

I'm so sorry for your loss, Steve. It's been years since I've seen Debbi but I do remember her well. My thoughts are with you, Matt and Mike.

December 18, 2014

Steve, my thoughts and prayers are with you my friend during this very difficult time.
Chuck Lamarche Sr.

Deirdre Shea

December 18, 2014

We are so sorry for your loss! The Giza family were great neighbors to have on Red Oak St. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Deirdre and Neil Shea and family

Sandy Benoit

December 18, 2014

Dennis and I are so very sorry for your loss because of your family we meet Matt and he is still part of our family. Deb will be missed by all our love is with you

Dena & Jim Reed

December 18, 2014

It is with the deepest sadness that we extend our condolences to you - Steve, Matt and Mike. In the relatively short time we knew Debbie, we came to love her. We will miss her smart, sassy humor and genuine, steadfast friendship. We mourn with you.

December 18, 2014

Debbie was a new, old friend. Will miss sharing a glass of wine and lobster in Jefferson this summer. Rest in peace.
-Susan Winbourne

Debbie Sjogren

December 17, 2014

Deb, I will miss "Seeing" you on fb.. Rest in peace my friend..

Carmine Janczyk

December 17, 2014

My heart is broken, Deb. You left imprints on my heart. I love you.
I will remember always your kindnesses and your caring and your strength. May God hold your Family in the arms of His love and give them comfort and peace. Carmine

Donna Gordon McCarthy

December 17, 2014

My heart is broken. All my love to all my family.

December 17, 2014

Steve and family, so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you. Brett and Theresa Ellis

Kate O'Connor

December 17, 2014

I met Deb 24 years ago when they moved in next door and she had locked herself out of the house. We had a cup of coffee while we waited for Steve to come home with the key. She later told me that she went home and told Steve how she was so impressed with how clean my house was to come by "unannounced". That Christmas we were invited to their Christmas party. Not knowing them or anyone who would be there, we figured we would go and be home in an hour or two but we rolled in hours later and awoke the next morning with cheeks and stomach muscles that ached from all of the laughter we shared the night before. We were all fast freinds from then on.
She called me Martha and I called her Bubba. I was Martha because I like to cook and do "Martha Stewart" type things. Our families were close. Our kids grew up together which led to her nickname. Molly answered the phone one day when she was about 8 or so. As instructed in phone etiquette she asked who was calling. "Debbi Giza" was heard by Molly as "Bubbagiza" And so from there on she had been and always will be "Bubba"
She was a master storyteller for anything that was funny. Even if it was an event you yourself witnessed and thought was humorous. To hear Deb tell it you would have tears rolling down your cheeks. With her perfect timing and delivery as if your version was merely a dull and faded memory not even worthy of being told. I always told her she could be a stand up comic. I truly believe that if she wanted to she could have done just that. But Deb really didn't think much about herself.
She was not one to put herself first. I wish that she had thought about herself more. Her health and her future. But I believe that we all live the life that we are meant to and she was who she was meant to be. And that person was one of the most loyal friends I have ever known. She was born August 3rd (same day as my nick- namesake, Martha Stewart) so she was a Leo and she carried the trait of the Lioness. Fiercly protecting her loved ones, That extended to the loved ones of her loved ones. My children included. She loved her boys more than she loved herself and no one that knew her could ever disagree with that statement.
In the end we all leave a legacy of some sort. The legacy of Bubba? The funniest woman I have ever known who had the heart of compassion, love and understanding. What more could you ask to leave behind? God Speed Bubba, my lovely friend.

Ron & Glenna Smith

December 17, 2014

Thank you Debbie for the almost 30 years of being our bestest neighbor up in Jefferson. We will miss you greatly

Eleanor and Stephan Norling

December 17, 2014

Garry and Diane and extended family,
So sorry for your loss.
I will say a prayer for all of you.
I know God will give you all the strenght you need, at this difficult time.

Lester, Dulce and Jakob Kaplan

December 17, 2014

To Stephen, Matt and Michael. I am truly heartbroken and my deepest condolences go out to you all. Debbi was a wonderful person, someone who I loved and came to call my other Mom. She touched the lives of so many and was always warm hearted and kind. She will be watching over us all shining down from Heaven. We love you all.

Chrissy Kelley-Pezzano

December 17, 2014

Steve, Matt, Mike, Patty/Marty, Din, Gary/Diane, I have absolutely no words that can express the shock and sadness in my heart for your loss. Please know that Mark and I are here for all of you and that we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers during this time of grief and thereafter.

Love,
Chrissy (Kelley) Pezzano

Jim & Lisa Gordon

December 17, 2014

Steve, Matt, Mike, I am so sorry, I can't really come to grips with this...we will miss her so much

Ron Law

December 17, 2014

Gary, condolences for the loss of your sister.

Maureen Kenary Gardner

December 16, 2014

The world has lost a remarkable person and I have lost a forever friend. Debbi and I met and bonded in high school and shared so many wonderful times. I was honored to be a part of her wedding and marriage to my grammar school classmate Steve. Debbi was a true blue friend and while our lives took different paths I always held her close in my heart. Reunited a couple of years ago, we picked up right where we left off. I was looking forward to a January lunch! No one could tell our "car wash story" better than Debbi! To Steve, Matt, Mike, Doreen and Garry, my most sincere condolences. I lost a dear, dear friend, but you lost your life-long love, mom and sister. The heavens have welcomed a new angel that will watch over all of you in a most special way. Thank you Debbi for blessing and enriching my life. I love you and miss you!

Suzy and Phil Warren

December 16, 2014

To Steve, Matt and Michael, I can't even come up with the words to express my sorrow and sympathy. I met Debbi at Lodding Engineering in 1979 and all I can say is she was and will always be a bright light in my heart.

Kim F

December 16, 2014

I was so sad to hear of your passing. You were a wonderful person, always had a smile on your face and time to talk to anyone. I will miss seeing you at the Adoption Journey events. Thoughts go out to your friends, family and all that you touched with your work in the adoption field.

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