Deborah L. Petrolis

Debbie, 64, of Toms River, NJ died unexpectedly on November 9th, 2024 due to complications while recovering from double bypass heart surgery and battling Stage 4 breast cancer.

Born in Summit, NJ in 1959 to Merton Thomas Haskell and Vila Emma Vliet Haskell, she ecstatically lived her whole life in New Jersey.

1974, in freshmen year of Toms River High School North she met longtime friend, Donna Saliski who fondly remembers skipping school to go to Seaside beach or get Obco’s donuts together.

Debbie met the love of their life, Robert (Bob) Jude Petrolis, in the Summer of 1978 at the Toms River Kmart, where they were employees. He was struck with her radiant smile and exuberant personality. They rapidly fell in love and started their new lives together, marrying May 24, 1980 at Presbyterian Church of Toms River. Debbie and Bob began their family with Christopher August Petrolis in 1983 followed by Kelly Ann Petrolis in 1987. Their family meant mean the world to her and grew with the addition of cherished grandchildren Logan Cloud Petrolis and Lily Ariel Petrolis of Christopher Petrolis and Kristinne Petrolis, and Gwen Vila Ziegler of Kelly Petrolis and Alexander Ziegler.

Debbie had a soft spot for her furry friends Frankie and Wolfie (named after The Universal Studios Monsters).

Debbie was dedicated through her work as Surgical Coordinator at Orthopedic Institute for 20+ years.

Debbie will always be remembered for her cheery nature, always being in the corner of her friends and family, and her detailed stories that would suddenly end with “to make a long story short”.

We could not have asked for a better wife, mother, grandmother, and friend and her memory will live on in our hearts.

Debbie was preceded by brother David Haskell and is survived by her husband Robert J. Petrolis, brother Thomas Merton Haskell, her 2 children, and 3 grandchildren.

Please join us at Saturday November 16th from 2-4 P.M. at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home 703 Main St, Toms River, NJ 08753 followed by a brief repass for friends and family.