Deborah Abara

Abara, Deborah, 94, of Tampa, passed away on September 21, 2015 in Glen Cove, NY. She was born in Sibulan Negros Oriental, Philippines, and moved to Jersey City, NJ in 1983. She later settled in Tampa in 1989. Dr. Abara was a consummate educator. She received her Doctorate in Education and Masters of Nursing from the Philippines Women’s University. She founded the College of Nursing at Marcos State University. She was a founding member of Bible Church International of Tampa. Survivors include her son, Joel Robert Abara; daughters Dr. Sharon (Samuel) Palaganas, Elizabeth (Edwin) Morris and Pearl (Samuel) Tomale; her sisters Felicisime Dornsife and Rachel Cacaldo; grandchildren Patrick Palaganas, Stephanie (Patrick) Daguio, Edwin Luke Morris and Robert and James Tomale; and great great-grandchildren Derek and Mila Daguio. Visitation will be held at Gonzalez Funeral Home on Friday, September 25, 2015 from 3pm – 5pm and from 7pm -9pm. Funeral service will be on Saturday, at Gonzalez Funeral Home at 10:30 with committal service to follow at Sunset Memory Gardens. Services entrusted to Gonzalez Funeral Home, 813-931-1833.