Deborah Ann Proby

Our hearts are shattered by the loss of a woman whose life was a testament to profound caring and compassion, leaving behind a legacy of selfless love that will forever shape the lives of everyone that knew her. She was the gentle anchor in our lives, offering unwavering support when we stumbled and an unyielding spirit that continues to guide us now, even though she is gone. Leaving behind a lifetime of memories and a family forever grateful for her love.

Deborah was a woman of immense strength and an even greater capacity for love, someone who believed that the heart of a community is fed by both good food and selfless service. She was born in Hanford Ca, as a child she lived in Corcoran and Lemoore until her family eventually settled down in Hanford, where she called home her entire life.

A graduate of Hanford High School and an alumni of West Hills College. She carried a lifelong passion for the culinary arts that transcended the kitchen, she carried her passion for cooking into every corner of her life. Whether she was working tirelessly in the busy kitchens of The Bastille or at Ryan’s Place, where she spent many years making town and family favorites for the community, she approached every cooking job with the same dedication and joy, always striving to serve others with excellence. She never lost her signature warmth, serving others with a grace that made even the busiest shifts feel like a joyous celebration.

At the center of her universe were her children and a selfless devotion that had no bounds, she placed their well being above all else, their happiness was her happiness. Her love was an extraordinary force of dedication that she consistently displayed through out their lives, whether it be when they were children and she participated in school fundraiser events or stepping in to chaperon school field trips. Through their adulthood she stood by them, through milestones and setbacks she was always there, a silent guardian and an active guide. Always offering a listening ear before words were needed and a steady hand when fear and uncertainty set in. This love and dedication would last her whole life, proving that she would do anything, endure anything and love without condition to ensure her children thrived. Assuring that wherever they went in their adulthood, they carried her spirit within them.

Despite battling cancer for many years and navigating the difficult terrain of other chronic health challenges, she refused to let her illness dim her light. Instead, she channeled her resilience into raising awareness, volunteering countless hours for multiple causes and pouring her energy into the lives of others, like different children’s fundraiser such as Toys for Tots, Make-A-Wish Foundation and helping ensure children had backpacks and school supplies for the year. She also volunteered and worked in multiple cancer awareness events and charities such as Relay for Life through the American Cancer Society, Susan G Komen Organization and The National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Her selflessness knew no bounds; she worked behind the scenes to raise funds, help organize events with a smile, and ensured that every dollar raised brought a glimmer of hope to those in need. All while she was fighting for her own survival, she was also fighting to bring joy and hope to others. She taught us that true strength isn't about avoiding pain, but about using it to feed others, comfort the grieving, and lift the spirits of those around you. Even in her final years, all the way up to her final days, her first concern was always to ensure the people around her were loved and cared for. She always strived to make sure she could bring a smile to someone's face.

To know Deborah Proby was to be reminded that true joy comes from giving it away. She lived her life with a vibrant spirit and a generous heart, leaving behind a legacy of delicious memories and a community that is forever grateful for the love she gave away freely.

Her life was a testament to living to the fullest, fueled by a boundless joy in every meal prepared and a relentless curiosity that led her to amass a sprawling collection of cookbooks and handwritten recipes. Each book collected and every recipe entry, leaves us with cherished memories, stories and flavors, a testament to her belief that life is meant to be savored, shared, and celebrated. Some of the most enduring memories was when she made and sold different deserts, all of them hits, but some of her best sellers were her mini loaves, which was a tradition that her and her sister Carla Proby started. They would go around delivering these deserts to friends, family and the offices of the doctors that helped care for her and her sister. These deliveries to the doctors offices also included a joyous and inspiring song performed by Carla and accompanied by Deborah. Even after her beloved sister passed away she did not let the tradition fade; instead she carried the memory of their shared journeys and the joy of their collaboration into each loaf she made ensuring their spirit and bond lived on in every loaf.

She is preceded in death by her father John Proby, her mother Alice Proby and siblings Robert Proby and Carla Proby. She is survived by her two children Paul Gutierrez Jr. and Raymond Gutierrez along with numerous cousins, aunts and uncles and many, many dear friends.

Her legacy is defined by her endless love for her family and friends and her unwavering spirit. We find solace not in the absence of her physical form but in the enduring truth that while her time on earth has come to an end, her love has no expiration date and will continue to nourish us. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her memory will live on through the lives she touched.