My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Orellana family.  Debbie was a very special person, friend, and former co-worker and gym buddy of mine.  We kept in touch throughout the years and know she was so excited to finally retiring and enjoying this next chapter.   She will be sorely missed.

My dear friend Debbie, I will miss so much your perky, feisty and funny self.   I am so grateful that I got to know you over the years and to travel to wonderful places around the world. You are forever in my heart sweet friend.  Godspeed into the Fathers hands and as my earthly father always would say, “it’s not goodbye but see you later.”

We are so sad to hear of Debbie's passing. She was a great friend, coworker and confidant. Our little group won't be the same without her. We send our condolences and comfort to Ruben and your family. May her memory be for a blessing.

I am so sorry to hear of Debbie's passing. I knew Debbie from High School, when I met her we instantly became friends. We called each other cousins but she was more like a mother hen to me. She was the quiet girl and I was crazy Lorraine as she used to call me. I couldn't of found a better friend than her. I moved away from NY and in the 80's I landed in Miami. I heard she was living there and I found her once again. We got together a few times but not as much as she would have wanted. I will always remember my "prima" who shared so much love, faith and kindness with crazy Lorraine. My heart aches 💔 😭 Condolences to Rueben, her children and the rest of the Borrero family.

Enjoying a meal at the table for Small Group.

Debbie & Shelia... Our Small group sisters, both in heaven now praising Jesus!

Debbie & Ruben with Michelle at the Baby Shower.

My sweet Debbie Doo as we all call you.  I still can’t believe I’m writing in this space.  How grateful I am to have a friendship of 38 plus years.  I knew you were an extraordinary human and friend from the day we met in 1988.  Decades later we only became closer.  Your sweet and warm smile would make everyone’s day better. I will always cherish our weekly lunch dates in downtown.  We would meet at the CVS on the corner and head out for our walk throughout downtown - I still look for you as I head towards that corner every week - it breaks my heart.  I enjoyed our conversations about life, travel, current events, and reminisce about the past.  In our deep conversations, your strong faith was always so comforting to me.  I will miss celebrating our birthdays together at Soya & Pomodoro, your favorite restaurant, and eating our eggplant parm, it was our yearly tradition.  Debbie, you were a blessing to all of us.  I am grateful for that hour and a half conversation a few days before your passing.  My last words to you were “I love you, Debbie Doo” I hope that you remember that always.  Your legacy will live on; I see your beautiful traits in your children. This world is missing an angel, but we will see each other again because that’s our Lord’s promise.  Until then, fly high with the heavenly angels.  Your “little Scorpio sister” as you called me.

Debbie and Ruben have always been great encouragers to us.  For nearly 40 years they have stood beside us, shared wisdom, given comfort, laughed and cried with us.  We will always love and appreciate them.

Deb, 

My heart aches as I celebrate and remember you, my dearest friend. You were one of those rare souls with a genuinely good heart, always kind, always caring, always ready with a helping hand and comforting word. Your smile could light up a room, and you made everyone feel welcome and loved. Everything about you was shaped by your deep, unwavering faith. 

Your family was your world. I loved hearing you talk about Ruben, Nathalie, Andrew, Amanda, and your precious grandchildren constantly and always with such pride and joy. You shared with me how you couldn't wait for retirement, not to relax, but to spend even more time with the people you loved most.

The legacy of love, faith, and friendship you've left behind will live on in all of us who were lucky enough to know you.
Rest peacefully, my dear Deb. You ran your race with grace, and your light will never fade from our hearts.

As many people may not know, one of our biggest fears in life is public speaking, so I'm putting what's in my heart in writing instead.

I love you and miss you so much.

Happy Heavenly Birthday!

Elsie (aka Pati Larga)

We grew up together in NY, and God had a beautiful way of bringing our friendship to continue in South Florida. You easily lit up any and every room you walked into with your smile. I’m so grateful for your friendship and how it enriched my life. You never came to my house empty handed and that’s just one small gesture that spoke to the kindness of your heart. This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you later. I will always love you and miss you. I am thankful to God that you were in my life. 

Your childhood friend, Letty ♥️

I met Debbie in spring 2022 on a Val’s Travel Friends trip to Holland.  She touched my heart in so many ways.  I will carry her Godly, generous, fun spirit with me always.  Bless you for blessing us! 🙏💖

Those that created magic in our lives never leave our souls. 😇🙏

My dear sis you will be missed by all of us !
We love you ❤️🫶🙏🏻

Oh Debbie, when I look up at the sky, I know you’re in heaven, gazing down on us with that beautiful smile of yours. My heart aches knowing that here on Earth, you are deeply missed by your family and friends. You had such a warm, bright presence—your laughter and kindness could lift any darkness in a room.

I thank God for the blessing of having you and your family in our lives. I hold so many wonderful memories of you—those family barbecues growing up, and all the special moments that followed. Though life took us on different paths, I’m so grateful that you and my mom always kept such a close and loving friendship. She recently told me about your long conversation, and it brought her such comfort and joy.

We love you, Debbie, and we will carry your light and love with us always.

Love Amy Scherrer (Merrill)

Debbie was a very very sweet, kind & loving person. She always had a smile on her face. Debbie will be dearly missed at our group. At our Small Group Meetings at the Davis' home where She & Ruben wd come on Saturday's I never ever heard her put out a negative comment. She wd come in w/a smile & leave w/the same smile. I wd call Ruben "Rubencito" in good fun & he wd say "Oh that's what my mom always called me" & her & I wd look at each other & laugh & she wd roll her eyes bk & nod her head "yeah that's what she called him. She was truly a sweetheart. Her memories will always bring a smile to my face. Lots of love & many blessings from Ana her friend with the pretty white hair.
❤️🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰❤️

Words cannot express the feelings that I feel right now knowing that you are not a phone call away. We grew up together from zero to 5 years old. I remember the day that they separated us. It was one of the most traumatic days of my life. We were not in our everyday lives but we were always a phone call away. I will miss our long talks and our times together. Rest in peace my sister-cousin, Cuca. You will always be a part of me. And as your light shines from heaven, that same light will be in my heart, illuminated, forever. I love you girl.

Debbie has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. From childhood through adulthood, a warm person who always had a smile on her face anytime we saw her, and a woman of faith.
Debbie was truly a woman of God, and lived for her family and friends.  I will miss hearing her voice and laughter, She will be deeply missed by us all, but we can take comfort in knowing that she is now in the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, surrounded by his love and everlasting peace.

OBITUARY

Debra Orellana

November 9, 1956 – October 17, 2025

Dignity Memorial Life Celebration Center

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