At age 66, Deb passed away on Monday, February 3, 2025, at her home in Geneseo, NY. She was born on May 28, 1958 in Paterson, NJ to the late John and Adeline Roe. Deb was predeceased by her beloved husband, James La Forge, and her brother, John Roe. Survived by her daughters, Brittany La Forge (Joshua Grzenda) and Abigail (Benjamin) Johnson, her granddaughter, Lila James Johnson, and her siblings, Pamela (Noel) Howard, and Mary (Ezra) Holley, along with several cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Deb was a graduate of Montclair State University and was a realtor for over 30 years. She will always be remembered for the twinkle in her eye, her generosity, heart of gold, free-spiritedness, comicality, and love. She enjoyed throwing parties with family and friends, bird watching, Vermont, cooking, Beaver Lake, and always allowed dessert before dinner. She loved rolling down the windows and blasting music, dancing, watching the seasons go by, spending time with her granddaughter, and taking care of any and all animals. Deb had such a way with people and knew how to make every moment fun and memorable. We will truly miss her today and every day.
A Celebration of Life Gathering will be announced and take place at a future date. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Debbins Rah Rah I can’t begin to process you not being here. No matter how long we went without seeing each other you were with me every day. You’re my sister. Your all my happy memories. I will have those until we meet again. It’s funny how much alike we were in so many ways. You were my lifetime buddy. Now it’s all memories. I’m sorry for everyone who has suffered this loss ! There’s no way to explain our connection and how much I adored you. I love you and we’ll be together again.
Bill and Lori Gold are so saddened by this news. We and Deb and Jim were a part of Judge Weber’s annual party for his interns over many years. Debbie was so special! Always warm and sweet and fun. Until reading this obituary we didn’t realize that Jim had also passed. What bad news! You know that line in James Taylor’s song? It comes to mind because we always thought we’d see them again. Our sympathy goes out to their daughters and family and friends.
We were so happy when Deb moved up here from Florida. We had a chance to include her in our family, and what a wonderful addition she was. Always smiling, grateful, and generous with everyone she met. She was so friendly even though many times she was in a situation where the only ones she knew were Brittany and Josh. We are certainly shocked and saddened by her passing. We were just getting to know her and looking forward to the warmer months with her at our farm. Our Christmas Eve together at Marilyn and Ken’s was so much fun, especially when she taught us the easy way to pull the tail out of a lobster. Thank you, Deb, for being part of our lives, even if it was just for a short time. We love you, and know that you are resting in the arms of our Lord.
Long, dark curly hair flying as she drove beside Jim, Dave and me in the back(once she gave approval of his dating me), Debbie’s contagious laughter over the sound of the wind…one of my first memories of so many wonderful, carefree moments from our friendship, sisterhood, that I will continue to savor forever.
My best friend always….. our life as next door neighbors and summers spent with you and your family at Beaver Lake were lifesaving to me. My childhood and my life were better because you were part of it. We both shared lives filled with great love and great pain. I know with certainty “earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t heal”.
Until we meet again.
Wow Mimi its so hard to believe that you have moved on from this place. We will cherish your company and laughter… We all keep a piece of you in our heart. I miss you Mimi.