DEBBORAH (KRZIZA) STEWART

April 28, 1949 - Dec. 23, 2009
SOUTH BEND - Debborah A. (Krziza) Stewart, 60, passed away in her home in Carlsbad, CA, after waging a courageous battle against breast and bone cancer. Her early life and education were spent at Indian Lake near Dowagiac, MI. She attended a one-room school for grades kindergarten through eighth at Old Indian Lake School.

The family moved to South Bend, IN, where she graduated from John Adams High School.

Debbie was employed in the field of accounting. She moved to California in 1983. In 1995 she became affiliated with the Ranch and Sea Reality Co. In that position she developed an extensive "family" of friends and colleagues. She loved her friends, gardens, and canine companions, Cho Hai, Garth and Lily.

In addition to her parents, Chris and Betty (Arter) Krziza of Carlsbad, she is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth A. Gibbons, and son, Robert E. Gibbons, both of South Bend. She is also survived by a sister, Victoria Krziza (Paquette), brother-in-law, Martin Paquette; two nephews, Alexander Paquette and Christopher Paquette of Niles MI; special friends, Bill and Shirley Mason of Niles. Numerous aunts, uncles and cousins also survive.

A memorial service was held Jan. 15, 2010, in Carlsbad. Friends met for a "celebration of life" as per her wishes in The Ocean House. A local memorial service will be held at a later date at Indian Lake, Dowagiac, MI.