Deborah A Lawton

Deborah Ann Lawton (Debbie), 62, passed away on November 2, 2021. She graduated from Leto High School, Tampa in 1977. She worked as a Paramedic with Hillsborough County EMS for five years, before moving to Tampa Fire Rescue where she worked for 26 years. She was proud of her profession and considered all members of TFR as her family. Debbie retired as a Driver-Engineer/Paramedic from Tampa Fire Rescue in 2014.

Debbie’s retirement gift to herself, and her life’s most precious possession, was a black and rust female Doberman puppy she named Pandora, but lovingly referred to as “her Panda.”

Debbie was 1st Vice President of the Tampa Orchid Club and along with several other members of the club, dedicated her Thursdays to volunteer work in the USF Botanical Garden. She devoted many hours at home caring for and photographing her personal collection of just over 200 orchids. Her favorite orchid was the Bulbophyllum.

Debbie was a warm and loving person who enjoyed meeting new people and ensuring everyone she met was greeted as an old friend.

She is pre-deceased by her father Charles Allen Blitch and her mother Rosemarie Ledwig Blitch. She is survived by her husband Ray, Stepmother Janice Blitch, her daughters Jennifer McCaslin (Toby); Adrienne Hery (Eric) and eight grandchildren.

With love and our sincerest gratitude to all, after much consideration, the Memorial Service for Debbie will be family only. Thank you for your understanding.

In memory of Deborah Ann Lawton, contributions may be made to the Moffitt Neuro Research Fund-GBM at Moffitt Foundation, 12902 Magnolia Dr, Tampa FL 33612. On-line donations may be made at moffitt.org