Debra A. Larson

Debbie was born on December 9, 1953, in Evanston, Illinois, to John and Dolores Dillon. From the very beginning, Debbie had a warmth and spirit that drew people to her. She had a remarkable gift for making people feel welcome, valued and loved.

On July 10, 1982, Debbie married the love of her life, John Larson. Together they built a beautiful faith-based life filled with family, friends, and countless memories. Their marriage was a partnership in the truest sense, and Debbie remained John’s beloved wife and best friend throughout their 44 years together.

Debbie’s greatest joy was her family. She was the loving mother of Andrew (Brittany) Larson and Ryan Larson, and the cherished “Nana” of John Nicholas, age 9, and Reese, age 7, both of whom held a very special place in her heart. She treasured every visit, every conversation, every laugh and every opportunity to watch them grow.

Debbie was the dearest twin sister of Karen (Andy) Wolfe and the loving sister of Nancy Dillon, Keith (Patricia) Dillon and Kevin (Martina) Dillon and was a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was also embraced and deeply loved by John’s family, including her mother-in-law, Barbara Larson, wife of the late Arthur Larson; brothers-in-law Alvin (Janet) Larson and Arthur Jr. (Connie) Larson; and sister-in-law Susan (Steven) Anderson.

After retiring to the family cottage on Lake 27 in Gaylord, Michigan, Debbie and John enjoyed life on the lake, where boating, sunshine and time with family and friends became an important part of their lives. Their winters in Port Charlotte, Florida beginning in 2015, became another special chapter in Debbie’s life where she developed wonderful friendships and became part of the Riverwood Community that she loved.

Debbie’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. In married life, she and John were members of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan and members of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Port Charlotte, Florida. She found comfort and strength in her relationship with God, and her faith remained a source of peace throughout her life.

Debbie was a 1972 graduate of Rochester High School, and attended Michigan State University, where she graduated in 1976 earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics. She began her professional career as an intern with Milwaukee Public Schools and went on to serve as a food service director for the Lansing, Clarkston, Farmington Hills, and Chippewa Valley School Districts. She later worked for Gordon Foods, the State of Michigan as a compliance officer, the Michigan Dairy Council, and lastly retired as the Food Service Administrator for the Southgate School District.

Debbie’s professional accomplishments tell only a small part of her story. In her later years, Debbie developed a special passion for watercolor painting creating hundreds of beautiful paintings for friends and family. Her artwork reflected her love of life, her warmth and love for friends and family and will be treasured reminders to all those who she touched with her talents.

Debbie loved her four-legged companions throughout her life. John and Debbie in their marriage brought Rocky and Cali May together, German shepherd and cocker spaniel, and then enjoyed the company of three golden retrievers, Maggie, Darby and her present companion Penny.

Debbie was someone people wanted to be around. She was fun, generous, caring and genuinely interested in others. She remembered people, brought people together and made friendships that lasted. She loved a good gathering, a good meal, a boat ride, a beautiful day, a conversation with a friend and, most of all, time with the people she loved.

More than all, Debbie loved her family. Her greatest happiness came from being a wife, mother, “Nana”, sister, aunt and friend. She created a home where people were welcomed and loved. She gave generously of herself and left an imprint on the lives of far more people than she ever realized. Her life was a blessing, and her family and friends will miss her deeply together with the sound of her voice, her smile, her laughter, her paintings, her friendship and the warmth she brought into every room she entered. They will also carry forward the many gifts she gave them, a love of family, a willingness to welcome others, an appreciation for beauty, a strong faith, and the importance of making memories with the people you love.

We will remember Debbie with the words she wrote many years ago when her first golden passed into heaven,

“She is gone from our sight… but never from our memory,

gone from our hearing… but never our hearts,

gone from our touch…but her presence is felt,

and the love that she gave us never departs.”

Funeral Services: A visitation will be held at Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

Debbie’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 133 Orchard Drive, Northville, Michigan 48167.

In memory of Debbie, and in lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to:

Camp Sancta Maria, Gaylord, Michigan (campsanctamaria.org), a catholic summer camp on Lake 27 in Gaylord, Michigan, dedicated to helping young people grow in faith, friendship and their relationship with Jesus Christ.