Mary E. Kish
I am in complete shock and so sad, I went to Deb's FB page to wish her a Happy Birthday and there I saw some oddly spoken words about "missing" and "remembering" from some of her other friends. That made me look up in the Fort Myers media to see if I could find my worst thought; and there I did. I am SO very sorry that I did not know sooner. I left Lee County area in 2009 and Debbie and I touched base a few times a year. Life happens an we all know that she was always on the go. She had many wonderful friends and a loving family. She was a heart that was broken by fate and never truly got over it. While she and her amazing husband Jay fought for his life and sporadic, multiple tragedies, Debbie and I would run into each other at Lee Mem Hospital; me going through my own cancer/chemo issues. Deb always seemed to know what to say to me and lend me some of her insightful strength to get me through whatever fear I was facing that day, altho we were on the opposite side of the Courtroom during our debates and feuds. She cared deeply for her clients and wanted to see them exonerated for whatever their allegations were. I was her adversary within the child welfare realm. We shared clients; she trying to get their children returned to them, I fighting to make the home safe for their return. We sometime argued facts until the Judge would just smile at us and say "looks like we are all fighting for the same thing, so why are we fighting each other?" Child welfare was the "prosecution" {do these tasks and get clean, sober, safe... or your kids do not return home}.Debbie was "defense" {her clients swearing they did not commit the allegations and wanted to be free from the stigma of abuser, addict or neglector}.No matter what, the minute we left the courtroom, we were no longer on opposite teams-we may not have been the best of friends, but we certainly were far from enemies. One time Debbie asked to make "an appointment" with me to discuss a case/issue that was close to her heart but not on her docket. I was intrigued and curious. Here this knowledgeable and courageous attorney at law wanted to pick my brains about child welfare. I was honored. It turned out to be a discussion about a little girl names Isabella. She adored this child and cried through most of our discussions. I gave her what I could from deep down inside and also prayed with her that everything would fall into place. I left the job for LOA due to my cancer and never heard anything more about it. One day she saw me, gave me a big "thumb's down" and I put 2 & 2 together.I know she adored her boys, Paul & Jeremy and I know she loved her family and friends. I also know that she loved life and wine.She made sure she always had a sip of both almost every day. When you work within the ugly room of child welfare, especially defending parents you know have done harm, it is all you can do to get 'out' and smell Life and sip Wine.Debbie is finally with Jay, where she longed to be - in his arms and dancing on clouds. Fort Myers will miss the smile and the frown that Debbie shared daily. I send my condolences to all her family and all her friends. I say I am truly sorry for not knowing that she passed away on January 26th, 2019 - just goes to show you that our lives do go on when others are grieving. I know how many I have lost and how much I have grieved, especially in 2019. It was a bad year for me in the losses. In a way I am glad I did not know about Debbie's passing at the time; it would have lent to much more grief that I would have. Debbie, Rest Peacefully.
I like to think that they are not just stars in the sky, but trillions of islands that are filled with all the wonderful people that we love and lose; they sit up there and shine down on us at night ~ protecting us from afar. May you & your family find comfort and peace in all the years of smiles and hugs that you shared before you lost him; Rest Peacefully Pop Pop ~ continue your love through Shine.Mary E. Kish
