Debra Cure Ford

Debra Cure Ford, born March 17, 1957, died peacefully surrounded by family after a short, but vicious battle with Leukemia on Saturday, August 1, 2015, at the age of 58. She was the beloved wife of Eric Krueger for 12+ years and mother of Robert Ford (Tara), and Kelli Ford Acosta (Casamere). She also leaves behind 2 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was the daughter of William and Yvonne Cure, and sister of Tammy Cure Savoye (Steve). She was a native New Orleanian and graduate of Andrew Jackson High School in 1975 where she was a four-year letterman and voted Best Athlete by her senior class. After high school Debi attended the Charity Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1978. Debi was employed as a Registered Nurse at Children's Hospital for 18 years and served as the spine nurse coordinator. Debi was also employed as an RN at Memorial Medical Center and Kenner Regional Medical Center between 1997 and 2002. In 2002, Debi moved to California to build a life with Eric where they resided in Pleasanton. She continued her important work as a nurse at San Ramon Regional Medical Center as the Administrative Director of Peri-Operative Services for 12 years. Most recently, Debi attained a lifelong goal as she was promoted to the administrative level at San Ramon Regional Medical Center. Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial gathering to be held at ST. BERNARD MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA on Saturday, August 8th from 1:00PM – 3:00PM, followed by a Celebration of Her Life beginning at 3:00PM. She will be laid to rest in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens. Donations in memory of Debbie can be made to Children's Hospital Development Office, 200 Henry Clay Ave., NOLA 70118 or www.chnola.org. ================================ Many believe that selflessness, charity, philanthropy, and altruism are fruitless. That good fortune must be taken from others. My mom's existence shows us that belief is wrong. Her every inspiration was derived from an authentic and sincere reverence for the spirit of human kindness and unselfish generosity. Her callings were few, but beyond measure in the way in which they were fulfilled. Family, friends, love, caring for the sick, and later in life as a leader of the unsung heroes of the hospital, where she treated each as an equal. Their mission was simple; to try to end pain and suffering for as many as possible, and to attempt to extend life and the love of each family she served. And with such a strong soldier in that war against pain having fallen, we have been left to shoulder and to fight that pain without her; and we all suffer in the wake of her loss. However, her generosity was not fruitless, and she did not leave us alone to fend for ourselves. Her gift to us was the same in death as it was in life; inspiration. Everyone who is in this room, and many others who are not, have been moved, touched, or inspired by Debi in some way. Some of us knew her briefly but were yet inspired enough by her to show up today to say goodbye. Others knew her for years, some of us our entire lives, and the wake of her loss is especially devastating to us. But we are also the richest recipients of her gift of inspiration. In whichever capacity we knew Debi, we ourselves were better human beings for it, We all were moved, inspired, nay, transformed through her, into better versions of ourselves. We are all more selfless, more sincere, and more compassionate because of her touch. So was her generosity fruitless? Her life was nothing short of a merciful, gentle, compassionate, and vivacious devotion to the happiness and wellbeing of all whom she encountered; a love that was a force of nature. How each of us has been affected by her, and Debi herself, would argue that not only are love, compassion, and generosity rewarding, but they are an endeavor that is worth a life time of devotion.