Deborah “Debbie” Toms

Deborah Lynn “Debbie” Toms, 58, passed into the arms of Jesus on Friday, August 12, 2011 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church with a luncheon to follow.  Burial will be in the Grantville Cemetery, Grantville, KS.

Debbie was born on August 2, 1953 to Don C. Welter (deceased) and Nancy Dean Boswell.  Debbie was diagnosed with a brain tumor in April 2011.  She handled her illness with faith and dignity and never considered herself sick.  She was a living example of understanding God’s plan and pleasing him.

Debbie had a special love of life and lived it with unwavering faith.  She made several pilgrimages to Italy and was present for the canonization of her patron saint, Padre Pio.  She loved the Catholic Church and was active in the RCIA program for nine years.

She graduated from Wheaton North High School and Kirkwood Community College with a degree in Nursing.  She worked in the Intensive Care Unit for over 20 years and most recently, in the Cath Lab and for Cardiovascular Consultants at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.  She was active in “GO RED”, through the American Heart Association.  She ran in the “Brew to Brew” run prior to her diagnosis. She completed a half-marathon in 2003 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  She loved to run and raised thousands of dollars for cancer/heart research. But what she loved most was being a mother.  Her greatest gift on earth, were her two sons, Jarrod and Travis and her two grandchildren Rian and Aiden.  She loved spending time with family.  Every year she, her two sisters, Cindy Ford and Linda Craig, and their mother, would take off on a surprise venture, which resulted in endless hours of laughter. Debbie also loved her home. Her favorite holiday was Halloween and she loved the fall season.

Many who knew her have grown stronger in their faith because of her example. She will continue to witness to others as her story is retold.  Debbie is a constant reminder to us that His plan is so very easy to understand.  Pray, hope and don’t worry. This is what she strived for in her career, devotion to her family and friends, and most importantly, to her savior Jesus Christ, whom we thank for the many gifts and blessings received on her final journey home.

A special thank you to all her friends, co-workers, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Dr. Stein, Dr. Denning, Dr. Klish, Advocare, neighbors, and all the prayer warriors, for your love and devotion to the care of our sister.  We could not have done this without you.  God Bless you all.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 16, 2011 from 5PM to 7PM at the church. A Parish rosary will be said at 7PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and the Oncology Clinic at LMH.  They may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.