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Obituary for Deborah Arlene Franco
Debbie, age 59 of Denver, Colorado.
Born in Nagoya, Japan on May 16, 1956, Deborah Arlene Franco passionately loved family, friends, nursing and her pets. She graduated from Loretto Heights College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and earned her Master’s degree from the University of Syracuse. Her nursing career spanned 39 years and included 14 years in the Air Force, during which time she attained the rank of Major. As a nurse, Deb worked in Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska, Mississippi, Texas, Georgia and West Virginia. Recently Debbie lived in Denver and enjoyed a most fulfilling, challenging position at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
While in the Air Force, Debbie met and married Mitch Guthaim in 1993 and was the proud step mom of Mandi. Granddaughters Clara, Cathleen, and Sophia were a special joy to her and she loved being “Grams”.
Debbie will be remembered as a “dog whisperer” who cherished her pets. She never met a dog she didn’t love. She enjoyed long walks with her beloved dog Katja, fine dining and wines, cooking and crafts, shopping and finding the perfect gift. Her gentleness, compassion, and wit were endearing, her brilliance and professionalism inspiring. Debbie’s enduring faith was a source of strength and comfort to her.
Her sudden passing on February 16th has left a void in our hearts. She left a loving legacy that remains with all who were touched by her life.
A rosary will be said at Ellis Family Services at C470 and Bowles on Monday, February 29th at 6:30 p.m. A celebration of Deb’s life will be held on Tuesday, March 1st at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Centennial followed by a reception at the church. Burial will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery after the reception. Please consider a donation to the Denver Dumb Friend’s League in her honor at http://support.ddfl.org/goto/debbie.
Debbie's web page at Denver Dumb Friends League. Click on hyperlink below in the MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTION section of this page.
