For over 50 years Debbie was a living legend. Now she is a legend.

I have many memories of Deb.
Always had a smile,her smile could light up a room.she was very special, even as a young girl .she will be deeply missed. I just learned of her passing and now l understand my dreams.rest in peace, my condolences to her family. 

Happy Birthday Debbie. Till we see each other again!

Debbie,  Our 47th Anniversary is tomorrow,  the 4th one since you passed away. I miss you so very much but I’m trying to take care of everything and everyone as I told you I would.  Tears are flowing as I write this, I will love you forever, thank you for loving me.
You have a new grandson !  Cayde Mackinley Towns born April 27th 2019. He is a beautiful boy and the 3rd child for Emily.  He is healthy and just learned to crawl last week, As he grows up we will tell him all about his beautiful grandmother and share the many artworks and gardens you created and left for us all.
Love, Rudy

A gentle soul Debbie will be missed dearly.  Always will remember her frienship, kindness, and sincerity.  What a great and loving couple.  With love and prayers to Rudy and Family!

Irfan S.

On this beautiful summery day, I look out my window and see field flowers dancing slowly in the wind.  I see Debbie there, too, dancing among the flowers and sending love to all. Our little great grandchildren always remember Grandma Debbie with a big smile on their faces. They know they will see her again someday.  Love to Rudy, Lace and Emily

As I read the notes from Rudy and the family, and from others who are missing 
Debbie so much, my heart is touched by how much she was loved. I will never look at or smell a flower without thinking of Debbie. Precious memories for all of us.
Carol Kerrigan

Debbie, 

I wish I had gotten one more chance to sit and talk with you. The last time I saw you it seemed like the disease hadn't touched you. You were still in your garden (which had grown and bloomed since the last time I saw it) tending to it. You were enjoying your life and behaving as though there wasn't an illness at all. 
I admired this about you. I thought about it after I left. I thought we all have our burdens to bare but that doesn't mean we should stop living. We must enjoy this life, nurture people (and plants) sing, dance and not worry about what other people think. These are all things you taught me. You taught them by just being yourself. I wish I could have told you that. I'm sorry I waited. 
Some of my favorite memories of you were watching you dance while you cooked in the kitchen, you had a glass of wine in one hand and a spatula in the other. I guess that made an impression because I do the same thing :) Lace, Emily and I would spy on you while you danced and sang and laugh. I remember how you talked to your birds and how they loved you.... Again, I must have taken that with me too because I have always wanted the same friendship with birds. I remember swimming in the pool and watching you in the garden over and over and over. Always creating life, always helping things grow and bloom. It was truly a gift to us all. 

I also saw how much your husband loved you. I have yearned for that same love in my life. What an amazing, rare gift that was much deserved for both of you. To be with your best friend is a beautiful thing to see. I have only seen it a handful of times in my 37 years of life but Rudy and your love shined as one of them.
I want you to know that you were much more than my friends mom. You left an impression on my heart and every time I am in a garden I will say hello and send thoughts of comfort to your family. 
I will miss you.

Debbie I missed sharing Easter with you this year, I love you and miss you so much. I hope you are in a peaceful place. I keep you near in my heart and often just hug one of your robes or coats to console myself a bit.

We know and understand what a tough time this is for Rudy, Lace and Emily. The hurt lingers for a long time but all of the loving memories of Debbie will be with them always and will add some cheer to each day. Grief is something that we can't go around--we just have to go through it! But know that it WILL get easier and that Debbie is in a beautiful, happy place and is waiting for all of you!

Love from Glenn & Carol

Missing you like crazy today Mom. Wish I could have just a few more hours to lay in your arms and hold your hand.

 So many wonderful memories of Debbie, of a shining spirit and friend. How do you chose which one to write down? There was the fun loving mom who took her children trick-or-treating while it snowed. The artist that amazed with her skill and creativity. Who had the patience to nurture my daughter's art talents. A gardener that created tranquil and vibrant gardens. Debbie who grew chicken & hens with little effort, generously donating clippings to me, even though she knew they wouldn't last long in my care. A woman who made the world a better place by being in it. I will miss this friend and "little sister".

Mom,
     The moments before and during your passing I was dreaming of you. You were walking me through your garden with a radiant glow about you and a beautiful smile on your face. You had long brown hair (as I remember you having when I was little) and you were wearing a beautiful long gown. As we walked you told me about each plant and their flowers, as usual you seemed so happy to tell me about each one and left out no detail. I'm not sure if this was your way of saying goodbye or your way of asking me to care for your garden, either way it was good to see and talk with you if even in a dream. I remember asking you once what your favorite flower was and you answered I love all flowers, but if I had to choose one, it would be my children. The day of your passing Emily and I spent it in your garden, tending to it and reminiscing. With my headphones in my ears, it not only made me feel close to you but reminded me of a video we have of you dancing in your garden while saying "Mary, Mary quite contrary how does your garden grow". That memory is so you.

     I know we all knew you would one day pass mom, as you were ill, I guess I just never thought one day would come or maybe I just didn't want to except that fate. There will not be a day that goes by where I won't be thinking of you, wishing I could hear your voice, hug you, or tell you I love you and to hear you say it back. I can only hope you are at peace now. Thank you for the rich life you gave all of us by teaching us what "love" really meant.

Beautiful Debbie- as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. What a legacy she has left for her family to be so loved so much by so many. We will always remember her beautiful smile, her love for Rudy and her family and how much we enjoyed just being around her. God has a precious angel in Heaven.  Our love and prayers for her family.

Glenn and Carol Kerrigan

A life lived so well will live forever. So sweet a person with only kind words and thoughts. This World is a better place having had Debbie in it. I still have the art, plants and flowers she gave me. I've never encountered a more talented, knowledgeable, kinder, hard working and sweeter person. She will be missed so much by all of us.

Happy Valentines Day Debbie, I love you and miss you terribly. Thank you for sharing your life with me and giving so completely of yourself. Tears are running down my face as I wish I could hold you one last time and feel your gentle caring touch. My heart is broken now.

A brilliant light is kindled among the stars. Though I was not around much in her final years my aunts Debbie's optimism was a testament to her courage and strength. Her enthusiasm for life was deeply felt. She had a way about her that was infectious and uplifting.  Her inner beauty and vision came through the works of her hands and blessed so many. I felt all her hearts love etched into a simple yet exquiste bowl she sent to me one year. It became the centerpiece at my prayer altar, filled with water and floating peonies. I remember with fondness and gladness and gratitude that she was a part of my life's journey. To my uncle Rudy..the love I witnessed between you two was so tangible..your bond, strong and sacred...you were truly meant to be. Thank you aunt Debbie for blessing the world with your presence. We shall see eachother again. I love you!

--If Roses Grow In Heaven--
If roses grow in heaven,
Lord pick a bunch for me. 
Place them in my mother's arms,
And tell her they're from me. 
Tell her I love her and miss her,
And when she turns to smile,
Place a kiss upon her cheek,
And hold her for awhile.
Because remembering her is easy,
I do it every day,
But there's an ache within my heart
That will never go away.

I have more I want to say to you mom and to everyone that knew you, still working on the right words, but I saw this and it touched my heart so I wanted to share it

In a transcendental dream two lovers chase each other across the universe giving birth to a thousand beings of love and beauty. Through spirals of joy and tears they flash through time without measurement and space without end. 
From world to world they run in a game of celestial hide and seek, changing form at will only to find each other more beautiful every time they meet. Truly the love they feel is the force from which all beings draw their lives and their purpose.

We have yet another angel to watch over us, Debbie, the love and light of my brothers life. Debbie was the true meaning of a lady. Love you Deb, just never told you enough, but it has been a great blessing to have known you.

As I scrolled through these lovely pictures so many memories of this beautiful lady assail my senses....I am devastated to learn she has left us, you always think oh I'll stop by and see Rudy N Deb then years go by...We met in my sophomore  year of high school at McKinley High on Oahu shortly after she had arrived from Australia, she had the cutest little accent and a smile for everyone, which never changed ever. We became fast friends. Throughout the years time would pass as we lived our separate lives, but deep in my soul you were and will always be.. I  am so glad you had your wonderful family by you during your time of need. Well.. I'm sobbing for my loss and yet euphoric that I was blessed enough to have you in my life. I love you girl and until we meet again I wont forget all the times we shared.
                                           Your Forever Friend Sandy

Debbie your light and love shined on everyone you met!  I am a better person for having known you in my life and I will never forget you!

Forever in our hearts you will be. Remembered for all your beauty, kindness, generosity, love, talent, and passion. You were an inspiration to everyone you crossed path with and so much more to us. I sure hope those angels know what they have. 

You are loved and missed dearly,
Emily, Layla, and Ruby

OBITUARY

Debbie Lynn Palioca Nelson

15 October, 1955 – 7 February, 2016

Mills & Mills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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