May 12, 1951 - February 19, 2019
Deborah Elizabeth Reul, nee Pardo, was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1951 to Thomas and Elizabeth (Baird) Pardo. She was welcomed into this world by a 1-year-old brother, David.
One year later, the family got into a car and headed out to sunny Southern California, to start a new life. Most of her childhood was spent in Fontana, CA. At the age of seven, she got a second brother, Darryl.
In elementary school, Debbie began lifelong friendships with Cindy Carter (Reul), Jan Cartzdafner (Cannon), and Mary Walstad (Lehman). The others describe Debbie as their leader and touchstone. Their unique friendship strengthened over time. They grew from young girls kicking rocks on the way to school, to women raising families, and to retirees going on “girls trips” in their 50s and 60s. Over the years, they became affectionately referred to as the “Fab Four,” paying homage to their favorite musicians, the Beatles.
As a teen, she was a social butterfly, and was crowned the Fontana High School Homecoming Queen in 1967. She graduated from "Fohi" in 1968. She briefly studied art at Chaffey College, while working odd jobs, including a stint at Colonel Sanders' Kentucky Fried Chicken.
At age 18, she accepted a position with the Automobile Club of Southern California, starting what would turn into a 37-year career. She was hired as a file clerk, moved up to cashier, then head cashier. She was a trailblazer for women’s equality in her own special way. In 1973, she entered the Auto Club's almost exclusively-male force of insurance sales representatives. For the next three decades, she was consistently recognized as a top sales producer. Along the way, she mentored many other women who followed in her footsteps, enabling them to be successful in their own careers.
She enjoyed sports as a participant. She played on softball teams, enjoyed snow skiing, racquetball, and playing golf with her father.
In the late 1970s, she had a house built in Devore, CA that would remain her home for the rest of her life.
Debbie would tell you that she met her Prince Charming, Rob Reul, in 1983 at a golf tournament after-party. Her lifelong friend, Cindy, was dating Rob’s brother and served as the perfect match maker. Rob and Debbie enjoyed their first date on Valentine’s Day 1984, and they were married in March of 1985. They had two daughters, Margaret and Emily. She was an amazing wife and mother and we could not have asked for more with the love and care she gave us. She supported us in every single hobby and endeavor that we enjoyed—from San Bernardino to Santa Barbara to Georgia and Florida. She was simply the rock that kept us all strong and made us the best versions of ourselves.
Debbie was loved by so many people. She spent much of her life giving to others.
For many years, she was a member of Soroptimist International San Bernardino. She was an enthusiastic participant in the group's annual Victoria Tea. During her term as the chapter President, she converted a vision into reality, starting the WINGS program (Women Inspiring and Nurturing Girls to Succeed), where professional women mentored at-risk teen and pre-teen girls. As a strong, independent woman herself, she enjoyed helping women and girls reach their potential.
Debbie also volunteered with The American Cancer Society. She served as an area coordinator in the annual Daffodil Days campaign, and participated regularly in their Relay for Life event.
In recent years, she became an avid supporter of the San Bernardino Symphony Guild.
Debbie was the kind of person who would always be there for those in need, no matter how she knew them. Whether it was cooking meals for sick friends, giving an ear to listen, or being someone to laugh with; she would give everything she could to those she loved.
Restless in retirement, Debbie took a job at the San Bernardino Golf Club. She enjoyed her relationship with the club's patrons and staff. She re-kindled her own relationship with the game, joining the Ladies' Club. She played in weekly events and tournaments. Twice, she earned recognition as the club's Putter of the Year. She was a proud member of the club's squad in team play events, against other courses. More than the accolades, she used the course as a backdrop to create a new set of dear friends, notably those willing to do "birdie shots," even when the birdies were of the wishful variety.
When not at the golf course, she spent much of her time playing cards or travelling with friends and family.
She loved Christmas, Chardonnay, and Charlie (perfume). She loved drinking Yorkshire Gold tea, and watching the sun rise. She loved her garden. She loved finding a loose slot machine. She loved playing cards and laughing.
Debbie was an exceptional cook. While she loved to try new recipes that she found in magazines or on the internet, her real talent was whipping up food simply by taste and sight.
She was equally talented with pencils or paintbrushes. Whether it was a doodle on a scrap of paper, or a large painting on canvas, she was able to make exquisite works of art, and she swooned at the chance to sit at the potter's wheel. Recently, she had enjoyed sketching in the garden at the Norton Simon Museum and taking friends to Wine-and-Painting events.
No formal services have been arranged at this time. A Celebration of Life will be arranged in the next few months. For those wishing to honor Debbie’s memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Rob, two daughters, Margaret and Emily, two brothers, David and Darryl, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and one grand-dog. She is survived by her golf friends and card-playing friends. She is survived by hundreds of loving Auto Club alumni. And The Queen is survived by her loyal subjects in the Fontana High School Class of 1968, most especially by her amazing sisters in the Fab Four.
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