Dear Family and Friends of Deborah,
I cannot even begin to express what a tremendous impact Deborah had on my life.  She was truly one of the greatest human beings I have ever known.  I met Deborah in the Fall of 2006 when I first became a patient at M.D. Anderson.  I had just been diagnosed with dysgerminoma, a very rare form of ovarian cancer, immediately following the delivery of my first baby.  I was 28 years old and scared to death.  Deborah was the first person who truly calmed my fears and took care of me not only physically, but emotionally as well.  For that I could never thank her enough.  Anytime I had the smallest concern or just needed reassurance, I knew I could turn to her.  She helped me in so many ways, I could never name them all here.  She shared in my joy and excitement when I became pregnant the second time, and even went out of her way to print out ultrasound photos of the baby for me on one occasion, even though I was just there for a regular checkup.  She told me later that she even went back and looked at the pictures a couple of times when she was having a tough day because she knew they would bring a smile to her face.  She returned my phone calls from home on more than one occasion so I wouldn't have to wait until the next day to have my questions answered about my test results.  I knew I was beyond blessed to have someone this caring in my corner.  I remember my husband's eyes welling with tears when I told him that Deborah had called to ensure that I knew my ultrasound was fine, and that she couldn't wait to hear the news about the birth of our son.  She touched so many lives - even lives of those she hadn't met.  I will never forget her constant warm and nurturing presence in the face of so much uncertainty since my diagnosis.  It has made all the difference in the world.  Deborah will be in my heart always.  May we not only remember her and all the good she did on this earth, but also strive to be more like her.

Dear Gonzales Family,
  I just learned of Deborah's death through a mutual friend of ours.  Deborah and I worked together years ago at Polly Ryon in Richmond.  She was always smiling and so upbeat about everything she encountered.  There didn't seem to be anything she couldn't overcome.
  I am so very sorry for your loss.  Cherish the memories, the smiles and the laughter.  She'll always be close by in your hearts.  Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
                                                               Kathy Stephens
                          Eagle Lake

Dear family and friends of Deborah Gonzales,

Virginia (my wife, and a patient of Dr. Gershenson and Deborah) and I were deeply saddened beyond words on Saturday (May 1) when we learned of the tragic loss of Deborah.  We tearfully grieve with you, and please know that we (also tearfully, with joy) celebrate her amazing life. 

From the time we first met Deborah in February 2009, we knew she was “one in a million” special, and we have been so thankful (and we continue to give thanks each day) to God that He has blessed us through her.  

Deborah represented the best of everything in the place of angels known as MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston.  She was incredibly smart and a clear expert as advanced nurse practitioner in her specialized field.  She showed tremendous loyalty, respect and love for those she worked with including her patients, Dr. Gershenson and all of the other professionals and personnel in her MD Anderson family.  It was also very evident that she had deep and special love for her own personal family which enabled her to care so well for her patients and family members of her patients.   Even with “so much on her plate,” she always took the time to listen, make complex details seem simpler and most importantly, care from her heart.  She was a treasure to us.  It also has occurred to me that she exemplified a life of “storing up treasure for herself in heaven.”    

What were the odds that Deborah would be Virginia’s advanced practice nurse who would become so familiar with her condition (stage IIIC fallopian tube cancer) and so critically involved with her treatment at MD Anderson?  We quickly learned after meeting her that, she and Virginia grew up in the same neighborhood in Houston, graduated from the same high school (Bellaire HS) and the same university (TCU, in Fort Worth), and were both wives and mothers of two children.   Virginia grew up in Houston, but she has not lived there in 32 years.  We believe these connections were not coincidental.

There is so much that we cannot understand and do not have answers for, at least not at this time.  However, even in the midst of suffering, tragedy and the unanswerable “whys” of this life, to us there is tremendous power and forever life in believing and trusting God’s promises – the One who made Deborah such an amazing instrument of His comfort, hope/ assurance and love.  

This may sound strange to some who have not had such experiences, but “when you know, you know” – and every time we come to MD Anderson, we “see” many (mostly total strangers who I think of as angels) who are clearly blessed not only by the best cancer treatment in the world but also by their expressed need for and dependence on such a loving and faithful God who they know will take care of them forever.  They understand the gift of each day, no matter how many such days on earth there will be.  Deborah helped to make it that way for many of them.  And so we tearfully with joy and gratitude celebrate Deborah’s amazing life.  May God continue to richly bless her, and may He also richly bless each and every one of you.

Thank you, Deborah, and thank you to Deborah’s personal family and to her MD Anderson professional and work-related family (especially those in the Gynecologic Oncology Department), for all that you have done or sacrificed and, as the case may be, continue to do, which has benefitted and continues to benefit us and so many other MD Anderson patients and family members of patients.

Dear Richard,
I was so sad to hear of the loss of your wife. You and your family are in the thoughts and prayers of your Jones HS family. Our deepest sympathy. God bless.
Yours,
Irma Ramirez Bujnoch

Dear Gonzales Family,  We were so shocked and sorry to hear about Deborah.  She was an amazing person who has touched so many lives.  We pray for all of you during this very difficult time.  
With love and prayers,

Most of us have heard spoken the words: “A gift from God.” I never really have given a lot of thought to that expression, but it occurred to me that all my life I've been in the presence of one. Deborah was our gift from God, and it occurs to me that she had wings we couldn't see. 

As far back as I can remember, I can recall the feeling of warmth and strength that she imparted. As a little boy, I came to recognize that my sister was something special. Perhaps that's because all little children look up to their older siblings. However, I think there's more to it. Deborah had a way of making me feel safe. I can't characterize it specifically, but I think it is because she had wings I couldn't see. 

First and foremost, she was a caregiver. Deborah reveled in taking care of those around her. It was her mission, her purpose and the culmination of acumen, knowledge, experience and inherent skill. The span of her career involved caring for premature babies that you could hold in the palm of your hand to patients with cancer at MD Anderson. She was never one for fan fair or accolades; she was our very own Florence Nightingale, and truly, she must have wings we couldn't see. 

Deborah was my cheering section. I didn't have to look far to find someone who believed in me. As a toddler, she supported me with her arms. As I grew, I knew that she supported me with kindness, love, warmth and thoughtfulness. All that knew her can probably agree that she was a proverbial mama-bear, and those around her were her cubs. Her warmth and love were self evident, as was her fierce love for each of us. She was the chief “take charge organizer of all things.” Deborah always did the right thing regardless of personal sacrifice. She strove for excellence, and held high standards. Her drive and her will were powered by wings we couldn't see. 

She was the consummate healer. For her, next to her family, husband and children, being a caregiver was the ultimate gift she'd been given. She embraced this gift as her life's purpose. I will miss her caring, vibrant spirit. I will miss the sound of her voice, and the sparkle in her laughter. And now that she's left us, I'm pretty certain it's with wings we couldn't see. 

I will always love you,
Joel

To Deborah's husband Richard, daughter Laura and son Matthew: I am so sad to hear about the accident and send you kind thoughts from Scotland at this most difficult time for you all. I worked very closely with Deborah in the Gynecologic Center MD Anderson for six years. I was the Primary RN with Dr Gershenson and Deborah was our Nurse Practitioner. Deborah was extremely knowledgeable and meticulous in her work. She gave so much every day to the patients and staff. It was such a wonderful team to be part of-and we will miss her so much. I could tell you many wonderful anecdotes about our days in the Center. We laughed (and cried a lot). Deborah shared many stories about you, her family and I know she loved and cared for  you so very dearly.
Please know that many people are thinking of you,
Love, Valerie Morrison

To Deborah's family:  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.  God bless and keep you.

Deborah was my preceptor last year. (I'm an NP student). She was one of the most caring and conscientious nurses I've ever known. Her friendly manner and pleasant smile made me feel welcome in a stressful situation. She spoke often of her family and I pray that God will comfort and bless you all.  
Peggy Phillips

To Deborah's family: I am a nurse practitioner student that was working with Deborah this semester at MD Anderson. I really admired her. She was a wonderful preceptor & I am so sorry she is no longer with us. To Laura: hang in there, I know your mom was very proud of you. She would always tell me about you. My prayers are with you and your family during these difficult times. ~ Brenda Flores (TWU Student)

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

Dear Richard, Matthew, and Laura,
I worked with Deborah at MD Anderson for several years.  She was a wonderful colleague and friend.  Deborah always had advice for all the new moms in the clinic and often told stories of raising Laura and Matthew.  She gave wonderful advice and was always ready to listen.  I will forever treasure her wisdom, friendship, and kind spirit.

To the Gonzales family, let the peace of God rule in your hearts.

It was an honor and a blessing to have been afforded the opportunity of working with Deborah throughout my fellowship.  I thank her family for letting me share the great times with her in the clinic.  We talked about everything from kids to college to patients, I will miss her and the positive energy she infused in to the room as she entered.

Mrs. Dean, Steven, Mike and Joel,
May God bless you and your family. 
I grew up across the street from Debbie and her brothers.  I remember her always being the good big sister.  She would fix us snacks for the picnic lunches Steven, Joel and I would eat on the Dean's front porch. 
I remember her fondly, and sounds like she became a loving and caring mother and nurse.

Richard and family,
We are saddend to learn the news of Deborah's death. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Deborah was always so friendly and interesting, we enjoyed sharing in her love of art. All of us at Arden's will miss her.

Deborah was a wonderful colleague for those of us who worked with her at M. D. Anderson.  She was always willing to lend a hand or answer a question, and was wonderful when assisting patients.  My thoughts and prayers go out to her family during this sad time.

We are so sorry for your loss.  Laura, you have been in our prayers since before your interview with MDA.  You and your family will continue to be in our thoughts and our prayers.

Dear Family and friends of Deborah,
     My name is Gina Ostrow and I was an ovarian cancer patient of Deborah's.  When I opened the page to the obituaries and saw her name there, I felt as if someone had kicked me hard in the stomach.  I couldn't draw a breathe.  I am so deeply saddened by her death.
     Deborah was a wonderful, smart, compassionate caregiver to so many of us.  She made a difference in my life during this terrible time of my life.
     As I sat alone in my study this morning, crying out to God for the family and for those who knew her, tears streamed down my face.  After having gone through so many personal losses in my life, I knew that there was no reason to ask God, "Why?".  I know that in this life there are no answers to such a question.  We will never know the answers to those tough questions.  I do know and can say that God is a good and faithful God.
     I also know that there is no sickness or cancer or suffering in heaven where Deborah is right now.  But, I also know that Deborah is already caring for others, making plans, and getting about the tasks at hand.
     I also know that, if you will allow Him, God will comfort you through this terrible, tragic loss of your wife, mother, child, sibling, and aunt.
You will not grieve alone as Deborah's passing will be felt across Houston, Texas, and maybe even countries beyond. 
  You will remain in my prayers.  Sincerely, Gina Ostrow

I never met Deborah but know her brother, Steve.  Our sympathy goes out to all of you.

Margaret Martin, President
Houston Aeros Booster Club

Deborah touched so many lives, always putting others before herself.  She was wonderful to work with in clinic and will be greatly missed.  More then anything, I will miss her friendship and great sense of humor.  Richard, Laura and Matthew- Deborah talked about you all of the time- sharing how proud she was of all you do, we all could tell how much she loved all of you, always.   My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this sad time. We were not fortunate enough to personally know Deborah, but we do know that she will be watching over Matt and our Brandon as they go forward in life. May your memories bring you comfort. She lives on in your hearts and with our heavenly father. God bless and keep you in his care.

To the Gonzales Family,  Deborah was more than my nurse at MDAnderson, she was my support, my go to person and most of all we became friends. I will miss her so very much as I know all of you will do more so.  I pray that she is in the warm loving care of our Lord and that he will give you all courage and strength to get thru this time, and most of all I pray for your Peace.  God Bless You All. G. Marlene Steely

To the family of Deborah Gonzales, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Deborah touched many lives, what a blessing. 
In times of trouble, this is where I go. 

I know not by what methods rare,
But, this I know God answers prayer.

I know not if the blessing sought,
Will be in just the guise I thought.

I leave my prayer with Him alone,
Whose will is wiser than my own. 
God Bless
In Christ 
D Bubenik

Richard , Matthew, Laura,
We are very sad of your lost of Deborah.
God has His way of looking after His people. Right now it is very hard for you the family to comprenhand what happened. In time you will become a stronger family, that is what happen to my family when our mother died at 50 years of age. We will not be able to attend the funeral service Wednesday , but, our prayers will be with you and Deborah.
God bless you.
Ralph Moreno and Family

Deborah was one of the first people I encountered when I became a patient at MDA in December of 2008.  Deborah was a true professional but not without empathy for her patient.   She will be deeply missed!

Her family is in our thoughts and hearts,
John and Meredith Ippolito

I had the pleasure of working with Deborah in the Gynecologic Oncology Center at M D Anderson Cancer Center.  Deborah was an
outstanding nurse who truly cared for her patients.  She always would go that extra mile to assist in the care of the patients she served.  She was caring, professional and knowledgeable.  Her sudden death is a tremendous loss to her family , patients and staff who worked with her. To her family, you have my sincerest condolences. 

Alycia Hughes, LMSW

To the Gonzales family, 
Deborah would be greatly missed here in Gyn Center @ MDACC. She was a very pleasant and smart lady with a warm spirit. My prayers and sincerity is with your family.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Please accept our deepest sympathies.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Deborah Anne Dean Gonzales

9 avril 1951 – 17 avril 2010

The Settegast-Kopf Company at Sugar Creek

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