Deborah “Debbi” Marie Rosato

Deborah was born on July 3, 1947, in Ontario, Oregon, to William and Dorothy Fenton. She was the middle child of three, always admiring her older sister, Jeannie, while fiercely protecting her younger brother, Bill.

On March 3, 1975, she married the love of her life, Victor Joseph Rosato, in her family home in Ontario. Their marriage of 47 years was filled with love, devotion, and faith, lasting until Victor’s passing in November 2022. Together they built a life rooted in love, adopting their son, Nicholas Joseph, in 1981 and completing their family through adoption with the arrival of their daughter, Deanna Marie, in 1985.

Debbi’s greatest joy was children—her own, as well as those she ministered to and taught. She served many years as the Children’s Minister at East Bayou Baptist Church in Lafayette, where she also taught Sunday School, led Bible Drill, and hosted youth groups in her home. Education was a lifelong passion, and she earned multiple degrees while raising her family. She worked as an academic counselor at Oxnard Community College, taught sixth grade at Westminster Christian Academy, and even spent time early in her career as a PE teacher at Myrtle Point High in Oregon. She studied at Eastern Oregon University, Oregon State University, and the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL), leaving a legacy of commitment to learning and growth.

In retirement, Debbi continued her faith journey and community service. After moving to Texas with Vic, she became active in her small group at Kingsland Baptist Church, a fellowship she continued to cherish even after relocating to Baton Rouge in 2023.

Debbi will be remembered as a resilient worker, devoted wife, loving mother, compassionate Mimi, and a steadfast friend. She touched countless lives through her faith, kindness, and unwavering love. While her family mourns her loss, they rejoice knowing she is reunited with Victor in heaven.

She is survived by her son, Nicholas Joseph Rosato, wife Aimée Birnbaum; her daughter, Deanna Rosato Melancon, husband Hayden Melancon; her brother, William “Bill” Fenton; sister-in-law Usha Rosato; and her cherished grandchildren, Landon Darby Lewis, Sylvie Grace Melancon, and Liliana Vittoria Birnbaum Rosato. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Victor, her parents, William and Dorothy, and sister, Jeannie.

The family would like to thank Moore Care for the extended care they provided over the last year of Debbi’s life, Decision Critical for being a crucial addition to her care since arriving in Baton Rouge, Dr. Lance LaMotte of Baton Rouge Cardiology Center, and Dr. Ben Levron of Baton Rouge General. The care and compassion that everyone provided since Mom’s arrival in May of 2023 have been nothing short of amazing. Thank you.

A service celebrating Debbi’s life will be held at Fellowship Church of Prairieville, where we ask that guests in attendance, please wear blue (her favorite) in celebration of her life and her love Victor’s birthday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to a charity of your choice, The BROC Foundation, or The Refugee Orchestra Project.