Debra Renee Jacobson Vezina, 57, of Leland, North Carolina., was promoted to heaven to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, September 12, 2022, after a long battle against AL Amyloidosis. Debbie, as we all knew her, was born on March 13, 1965, to Wilfred Dean Jacobson and Carolyn Lee Jacobson of Prineville, Oregon. She grew up in Prineville, graduating from Crook County High School in 1983. During her early years, she worked hard and played hard, evidenced by the scar on her leg from a swing set mishap and the dirt bikes she rode, much to her mother’s dismay. She worked at the Taco Company and Artic Circle which enabled her to purchase her first car, a Mercury Bobcat, perhaps because the name “Bobcat” typified her adventurous spirit.
After graduation she moved to San Diego, CA where she worked hard as a teller for Gibraltar Savings & Loan, being promoted to vault teller in less than two years. She then ventured into the medical field for the remainder of her working career beginning as a receptionist in the pediatrics unit of Sharp Rees-Stealy, La Mesa, CA. There she made and kept many friendships with co-workers and patients alike to this day. It was in San Diego that Debbie met her husband to be Burton William Vezina II, in 1985 while he was serving in the U.S Navy. They were married (she proposed, and he accepted, the best decision he ever made apart from accepting Jesus Christ) at the Wedding Bell Chapel in downtown San Diego on November 7, 1987, with best friends Walt and Mary Handcock by their sides.
After fifteen years in San Diego, Debbie and Burt relocated to Leland, North Carolina, where he was born and raised. Debbie continued in the receptionist role with New Hanover Medical Group (NHMG), where she developed many more friends during her 23+ years as a receptionist and supervisor. Debbie loved her work, but more importantly, she loved to serve the people. This included her co-workers, on whose behalf, she sacrificed her convenience on their benefit. She especially loved the patients of NHMG. She really enjoyed providing a cheerful smile and a word of comfort, always being sensitive to their infirmities. It was during her time at NHMG that she developed two addictions. The first was to the beach, and the second was for cruise ship adventures (thanks, Neil). She enjoyed the sea and sand at Carolina, Kure, Wrightsville or Ocean Isle Beach. And, if possible, a cruise ship to get her there was all the more exciting to her. But activities like these were just another means to an end; to get to know, love and share life with friends and co-workers was her real addiction. That’s why she never missed a day’s work for more than twenty years until becoming seriously ill with Amyloidosis.
Debbie became a member of Lake Forest Baptist Church in 1999 and became well known for her photographic eye. She took thousands of pictures in her twenty-four years at Lake Forest. She served on several committees, including flower and social committees. And whenever you needed a helping hand, she was always quick to give it her all. She dearly loved her church family and pastors, especially Ralph Holt Jr, and Randy K. Speight.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Burton William Vezina II of Leland, NC. Her father, Wilfred Dean Jacobson of Prineville, OR, brother, John Jacobson (Joy), Prineville OR, sister, Deanna Jacobson, Prineville, OR, many nieces and nephews, the pride and joy of their distant but affectionate “Aunt Debbie.” Debbie is preceded in death by her mother, Carolyn.
Visitation will be held on Friday September 30, 2022 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Coble Funeral & Cremation Service at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1155 Shipyard Blvd, Wilmington, NC 28412.
Memorial Services will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday October 1, 2022 at Lake Forest Baptist Church, 1626 Lake Branch Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 conducted by Reverend Randy K. Speight.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution made in her honor to Lake Forest Baptist Church, 1626 Lake Branch Drive. Wilmington, NC 28451.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CobleGreenlawn.com for the Vezina family.
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