Debra Dyksen Rodriguez

Debbie was the third child of John and Ingeborg Dyksen (both Army veterans). Debbie was born December 15, 1956 in Newport News. Her older siblings were Diane and John.

A 1974 graduate of Warwick High School, Debbie worked full-time at various grocery and retail jobs throughout her life. Her most recent job was at Ace Hardware. She always had a smile on her face, made many friends at every place she worked, and touched many lives. She had a way of making everyone she came in contact with feel special.

Debbie met Roberto “Bob” Rodriguez while working at the A&P grocery store, where he came in everyday to buy his lunch. They married in 1980, and spent 44 years together. They moved to Williamsburg in 1984, where they raised their family in the same house they still reside. Debbie was an extremely proud mother of two daughters, Tina Thomas and Rita Frazee; mother-in-law to two sons-in-law, Ben Thomas and Dennis Frazee; grandmother to Claire (10), Aspen (8), and Harrison (7); and aunt to many nieces and nephews around the country and Puerto Rico.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, John Dyksen.

An animal lover, over the years Debbie cared for many cats, dogs, and fish as pets. She had a fondness for fictional pets as well – Snoopy and Lassie were her favorites. Music always filled her home (especially The Beatles), she loved reading (her favorite author was Stephen King), watching movies (favorites such as Star Wars and Alien), family game nights, time spent outdoors, and rooting for her baseball team, the Washington Nationals. “Go Nats!”

Debbie became and stayed an active member of Wellspring United Methodist Church since 1984, volunteering in the Church nursery and attending every Sunday when she wasn’t working. She also volunteered at pre-school and Girl Scouts when her children were attending, and later continued to serve the community through her involvement with Williamsburg Faith in Action.

Debbie was talkative and friendly, helping many people throughout her life. Until she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer sixteen months ago, she was an active, healthy person full of energy. The family extends their sincere gratitude to the doctors and nurses who helped extend her life after the initial diagnosis, especially VCU Massey Cancer Center, and to everyone who has prayed for her, offered support, and continues to do so for the family.

A memorial service will be held at Wellspring United Methodist Church on March 22, 2025 and a Celebration of Life at Waller Mill Park on March 23, 2025.