Debora Gail Ibbotson

Celebration of life for Debora Gail Ibbotson, lovingly known as Debbie, Mom, and to so many grandchildren, simply Momo.

Debbie was born in Scottsbluff, NE on July 7, 1948, and died on August 2, 2026 in Thousand Oaks, CA.

She is survived by her children Danita, Jonathan and Donna, Anikka and Don, and her step-son David; her grandchildren DJ and Lisa, Jordan and Gaby, Zachary and Kaleigh, Christopher, Chantel, Kaitlin, Hailey, Kylie, Tori, Ashlyn, Matthew, Delaney, McKenzy, and Jackson; her great-granddaughter Allison; and her siblings Richard, Donald, and Patty.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son Jason, granddaughter Danika, her siblings Michael, Sharon, and Noreen, and her mother Vera. Just days after Debbie's passing, her son Timothy also passed away on August 5, 2026.

For more than fifty years, Debbie faithfully served Simi Valley Missionary Baptist Church as a pianist and Sunday school teacher. Generation after generation learned from her, sang with her, and felt her love. She also held some interesting jobs, editing for Enterprise Newspaper, sold cars for William L. Morris Chevrolet, and accounting for AM-PAC Tires.

Debbie loved stories and was never at a loss for one to tell. Some of those stories seemed almost too incredible to believe, yet in recent days we've discovered that many of them were true. Like befriending a family of raccoons and spending her daily breaks with them. She was also very creative—a crafter, artist, writer, seamstress, hair braider and cook. She generously handed down her taco salad and Shepard’s pie recipes. She loved animals, watching talent show videos, playing Solitaire and Candy Crush.

Being Momo was one of Debbie's greatest joys. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, sharing stories, playing games, collecting bugs, looking up fun facts, school pick-ups, and creating memories they will cherish forever. She was very proud of her diverse family and all she had created.

In her final days, Debbie was surrounded by an outpouring of love from family and friends. The room was filled with the very people whose lives she had touched. I don't think she ever fully understood the impact she had on so many people—the countless children she taught, the family she nurtured, the friendships she treasured, and the faith she lived every day. She felt deeply blessed and deeply loved.

On Sunday, August 2, as her daughter Anikka sang "How Great Thou Art," she passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord.

We love you, Mom. May you rest in peace, reunited once again with Jason, Tim and Danika.