Deborah Phyllis Gallagher

In Loving Memory of Debby Gallagher

07/31/43-11/14/2025

A life shaped by love, laughter, and family.

Debby Gallagher’s life was defined by her devotion to family, her passion for the arts, her belief in education, her outspoken nature, and unforgettable laugh and sense of humor.

Deborah “Debby” was born to Gertrude and Philip Nollman, in Los Angeles in 1943. Her mother, Gertrude, immigrated from Posen, Poland. Trudy was a skilled seamstress, talented artist, and exceptional chef and baker. Her father, Philip from Boston, MA was successful in real estate, known for his steady presence, entrepreneurial nature, and commitment to providing opportunity for his family. Their names are honored today through the Gertrude and Philip Nollman Career Development Chair at the Weizmann Institute of Science, a lasting testament to their belief in education, discovery, and giving back. These values, creativity, learning, service became foundational in Debby’s life.

Debby and her sister Barbara, grew up in Pacific Palisades, where they attended school. Debby delighted in sharing that she attended school with famed musician Randy Newman, and “taught him to write in cursive.” Every time “I Love L.A.” played, she turned up the volume with a smile and sang along.

After graduation, Debby attended the University of Arizona and later San Jose State University, where she met her husband Barry Michael Gallagher. Barry came from a huge family with nine siblings. It was Barry’s gentle nature, humor and genuine ease with children that captured her heart. They married in 1967, celebrating with two weddings, one Jewish for Debby’s family and one honoring Barry’s Irish Catholic heritage. Debby enjoyed the huge and humorous Gallagher clan immensely and stayed close with her in-laws until her passing.

“Deb and Bear” moved to Los Angeles and celebrated the birth of first daughter, Alissa Joy in 1970. When Barry got a job opportunity in Merced, CA they moved to the Central Valley where their daughters were raised. In 1975, their second daughter, Katie Elizabeth, arrived. Debby poured her heart into her girls, reading aloud to them and enriching their lives with art, books, theater, creativity and unwavering encouragement and belief in themselves. She never missed a school performance or recital. Later, Debby aka “Grammy” carried this same devotion to her three grandsons at all performances and achievements. She was so very proud to be “Grammy” to Alissa and Stan’s (son in law) three boys, Jackson, Aidan, and Ethan. Grammy was always cheering the loudest with her unmistakable, joyful laugh echoing through the audience.

Debby worked as a preschool teacher, medical assistant and had a knack for sales. Her outgoing personality led her to a successful career in real estate, and selling cars. After retiring, she started two entrepreneurial sewing and embroidery businesses from home. Snickerdoodle Kidz and Deb’s Garage. She created personalized gifts and countless handmade treasures. She sewed Halloween costumes for her daughters and later for her grandsons, continuing a family tradition of love made by hand. She worked hard to make masks during the pandemic.

Debby was a voracious reader, loved playing cards, dominos, puzzles, theater, independent film, true crime, podcasts, Survivor, interior design, and crafting. She enjoyed overcast days, the ocean breeze, freshly baked cookies, cozy naps, and the joy of creativity and making things for others. Her humor was bold, quick, and unforgettable, she spoke her mind, loved lively conversation, and always found something to laugh (or cry) about. Debby was outspoken, politically aware, and a proud voter who believed in using her voice.

In 1987, after her father’s passing, Debby moved to Irvine, choosing the city specifically for its excellent schools. She would want you to know, her daughter Alissa, has been teaching elementary school in Irvine for 27 years and was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2024. Her son-in-law Stan, is Assistant Superintendent for Irvine School District.

In 1988, she met Rick Ribera, the last love of her life. Together they shared companionship, travel, humor, and she loved his grandchildren Lauren “Lo” and Joesph Ribera like her own. In 1999, they moved to Arlington, Virginia, where she loved living in a high-rise condo near the National Mall. While in the East, she was able to visit her daughter Katie, while attending Monmouth University in Nee Jersey. She was immensely proud of her daughter’s achievements and loved to share that Katie competed and was runner-up on Survivor: Palau in 2005. Katie works as a Supervising Producer in Unscripted Television since 2008.

Debby ultimately returned to Southern California to be closer to family. She volunteered for many years helping women escape from domestic abuse through Human Options. She participated in Habitat for Humanity builds in Mexico and loved the children she connected with there. Quietly spiritual, she practiced meditation and found peace at Deepak Chopra’s Center for Wellbeing.

Debby’s beloved grandsons Jackson, Aidan and Ethan were her pride. Jackson graduated from BU in 2022 and is in his final year at Northeastern School of Law. Aidan, is finishing up his studies in Psychology & Education at University of Oregon. Ethan, is studying Film & Psychology at UC Santa Cruz and currently studying abroad in Scotland.

Debby spent her last days living with both daughters in a custom ADU at Alissa and Stan’s home in Lake Forest, CA. It was a peaceful sanctuary filled with light, laughter, and love. She enjoyed Stan’s home-cooked meals, afternoons dining al fresco, listening to music and watching her Grand-dog, Mabel play. Debby spent her evenings watching Jeopardy, Dateline and The Murdoch Murders with her girls. She never stopped loving chocolate chip cookies. Debby passed peacefully surrounded by love. She took her last breath at sunrise on an overcast Friday morning with her girls by her side. She held Katie’s hand as she curled up with Mabel, mediation music playing quietly. A beautiful send off. She leaves behind her sister, Barbara, her husband Jeremy Roberts and her nephew Joseph of Trelech, Wales.

Debby leaves behind a legacy of handmade beauty, generosity, laughter, and devotion that will continue to live on through every generation she touched.

She will be missed beyond measure and forever held in the hearts of all who loved her. May the hilarious stories of her life live on through her family and those her loved her. Tiny but mighty, we will truly miss “Dyno Deb”.