Deborah Kay Kirby-Felder, born on September 7, 1952 to parents Larry and Barbara Freeman, departed this Earth on March 5, 2025, after an 18-month battle with stomach cancer. She is survived by her two daughters, Megan Kirby and Ashley Zaldivar, as well as four grandchildren: Kayla, Skyler, Gabriel, and Jordan.

Born and raised in Glendora, CA Debbie married the love of her life on September 18th, 1976 and they swiftly relocated to Orange County. They settled in Lake Forest where she and Michael Francis Kirby bore three daughters: Kasey, Megan (44) and Ashley (42). Debbie was quite well known to have said that the next 20 years of her life - spent being married to Michael & raising her three girls - were absolutely the happiest of her whole life.

However, once the girls were grown, the time came for her to re-enter the workforce. She happily spent the next 20 years in Property Management where she quickly won the favor of all her colleagues.

During this period, we lost Michael in 2003 then Kasey in 2008. We do not believe Debbie ever recovered from the loss of her daughter, Kasey, just simply learned to live with the gaping hole the loss left in her heart.

At 70 Debbie retired and spent the final season of her life blissfully focusing solely on her grandchildren.

Always the brightest light in the room, Deborah's family has been regaled with a multitude of stories highlighting her vibrant spirit, tenacity, inclusivity, honesty and infectious laughter since her passing. Her legacy of joy, love and laughter continues to inspire all who knew her.

For those interested in paying their respects, there will be a Gathering at Megan Kirby's home in Rancho Santa Margarita, California:

Friday, March 21st | 10am - 12pm PST

Light brunch to be served | Email for address

Street Parking available | Wear shades of blue (optional)

RSVP by March 16th to ashley_kirby@me.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to MD Anderson Cancer Center's CDH1 Research Program in honor of Kasey & Debbie Kirby. This organization is the world leader in research studies for CDH1-related cancers of which both Debbie and Ashley Zaldivar are current participants. Once on their donation site gifts.mdanderson.org , check the box labeled "I'd like to choose where my donation will go", select "other" from the drop down menu then list that you wish for your contribution to be directed towards the "CDH1 Research Program" in the comment box that appears.