Debbie Hill

March 26, 1948 – May 12, 2026

Debbie was born in Minneapolis, MN to Adeline Nelson Teale and James Teale. A year later, her family moved to Puerto Rico, where she grew up and attended St. John’s School. She was a cheerleader through her junior- and high- school (Cheer Captain twice), also in the Latin Club and Student Council. After graduation from Los Altos (CA) High School, she enrolled at Bradford College in Massachusetts, and she graduated in Liberal Arts.

Debbie initially worked for an AT&T Director in New York City (in the old PAN AM building), before returning to the California Bay Area where she held positions at Creative Publications and Computhink/Momentum. Debbie was a fierce and awesome club and USTA tennis competitor. She met her husband on the tennis court, who quickly realized she’d be a better partner than opponent.

Gary and Debbie married in 1980, which worked out nicely for 46 years. They are proud of their two wonderful daughters, Tamara Lynn born in 1981 and Julie Nicole born in 1983. During the girls’ early years, Debbie worked as a school Improvement Coordinator; volunteered as a soccer manager-Mom, Bobby Sox manager-Mom, and avid PTA fundraiser (normally topping the list for the most funds); and continued to play a lot of tennis with Gary and friends.

1996 saw the family move to Central Oregon. They owned and operated East Lake Resort for 6 summers, until both interns (they called themselves slave labor) went to college, Tamara to University of Santa Clara and Nicole to Washington State University. An offer they couldn’t refuse also enticed them into a final retirement. Debbie volunteered at St. Charles Hospital, SMART reading program, Project Bloom, Bethlehem Inn, and Assistance League of Bend.

In 2020, Gary and Debbie bought a second home in The Grand in Surprise, Arizona where they added golf, pickleball, and bocce ball to their hobbies and made new friends. They enjoyed six months of sunshine in Arizona from October to May and six more months of summer sunshine in Oregon. They travelled to Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, the Caribbean, and South America befriending even more people.

Debbie is survived by her loving husband, Gary, daughters Tamara (and Travis), and Nicole. Debbie will be remembered as the most generous, welcoming, compassionate, and loving wife and mother any family could hope for. Even a five-hour open-heart surgery with the best doctor at the top medical facility in the state could not repair the heart that gave its all to so many. Her reward is in Heaven.

At Debbie’s request, there will not be a public service. In lieu of flowers, proceeds/remembrances would be appreciated at Bethlehem Inn or Shepherd’s House in Bend, Oregon.