Debra Ann Paladino's Obituary
Debra Ann (Wagner) Paladino, 64, passed away at the peaceful close of a brave and resilient cancer journey, surrounded by her family at her home in Dover, Delaware on January 29, 2024. Born in Great Falls, Montana to Gretchen (Nelson) and Fredrick Wagner, she was preceded in death by her parents as well as her siblings Fredrick (Rick/Moose), William (Billy), and Laurel Wagner, and her granddaughter Izzy Ortiz.
In 1985 Debi met and fell hard for her husband Jim, the love of her life and the only man to ever give her butterflies; they were married in 1986 and raised their three children primarily in Pleasant Hill, Maryland. Debi was a loyal employee of over 20 years for Kmart corporation and retired from Home Depot in 2015. She had an incredible work ethic and was proud of her career, meanwhile prioritizing what was most important to her, her children and family— wearing every hat from troop leader to sports mom.
Debi would often say she “used to be cool.” A rocker chick at heart, before becoming a wife and mother her favorite pastimes were loud concerts and great parties, leaving her with mean hangovers but fantastic stories. From sitting on stage with and receiving a kiss on the cheek from Keith Emerson to storming the gates at a ‘72 Pink Floyd concert with her brother, Debi squeezed every possible drop of fun and excitement out of her youth. In her later years she shared her love of music with her family, enjoying concerts with them in addition to cooking incredible meals, crocheting gifts for and playing with her beautiful grandbabies, and making laughter-filled memories with the family and friends she loved so dearly. Anyone who knew her would tell you she was still the coolest wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.
Truly a medical marvel, Debi was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2004. She surpassed any expected prognoses, amazing her doctors and anyone who knew her as she handled recurrences one after the other. Referred to by her family as their metal mama, she stood strong and optimistic through various surgeries and replacements, radiation treatments and endless chemotherapy. Always looking for a silver lining, Debi used her experience and insight to help guide other cancer patients- friends and strangers alike- as they navigated their own symptoms, treatments, and test results. She would want any women reading this to have timely mammograms, and fellow cancer patients to try to stay hopeful.
She loved her family more than anything, and will shine on in the memories and hearts of her surviving family members; husband James, children Laurynne (Brent) Williams, Christopher (Svea) Paladino, Morgan (Antonio) Ortiz, and grandchildren Laekyn, Emrik, and Ziggy.
Services will be held at Trader Funeral Home on February 7, 2024. Friends may call at 10:00 a.m., with memorial service at 11:00 followed by internment at Sharon Hills cemetery.
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