Deborah was the beloved wife of Joe Moorhead of French Gulch. She was born in Northridge on Feb. 2, 1963, the daughter of Peter and Patricia Giammanco of Thousand Oaks.

Deborah graduated from Thousand Oaks High School class of 1981 as an athlete excelling in ice skating, swimming and softball. She continued her love for these sports as an adult and took great pride in all her accomplishments — her greatest being her four super amazing children she had at a young age.

She was an incredible mother, distilling hope, courage, strength and unconditional love into the lives of her children. Singing songs by Bob Marley like “Three Little Birds” to them made her a believer of “Every little thing is gonna be all right,” a quote she used so very often for encouragement and comfort.

Deby moved to Humboldt County with her four children in 1992, where they built a life together in the small town of Garberville.

Deborah’s career path was in the mortgage field, but hen she relocated she had a change of heart and expressed interest in radiology and business which led her to take classes at College of the Redwoods for EMT and realty work. Deby was a hard worker and inspirational woman with a young heart. Everything she did in life was always for her children. In her eyes that made her successful in every way.

In the coming years she enjoyed music festivals. She met her life partner Joe Moorhead at Reggae on the River in 2005. Deby commuted from Garberville to French Gulch as she continued to be the loving Mother of her young children, a hard worker and supportive partner and finance of Joe. She moved to French Gulch in the spring of 2006, where as a team they built her dream home. Three years later, in 2009, Deby and Joe married in the house of her oldest daughter.

Their life in French Gulch was always beautiful, surrounded by ever-growing trees and lakes. The two ventured in the outdoors together all the time, enjoying swimming, fishing, sailing, kayaking, hiking, biking and chasing waterfalls. She saw the beauty in nature and spent many days and summers at the lake with her family.

Deby’s battle with cholangiocarcinoma (cancer of the bile ducts in the liver) began in 2011. She beat the odds and fought for six years, exceeding doctors’ expectations. She was a fighter and a true warrior in the eyes of anyone who witnessed her courageous battle with cancer and incredibly difficult time. In the end, she had fulfilled her dreams of raising successful children and won time. In the end, grace and love won. Not cancer.

Family and Friends

Please join us in a celebration of a life well lived on June 17 at 2 p.m to remember our mother, Deby Moorhead. The services will be held at:

The Historic Benbow Inn
445 Lake Benbow Dr
Garberville, CA 95542
1(800)355-3301
http://www.benbowinn.com/

If you had the honor of knowing Deby Moorhead please do attend.

Please dress to impress casually. Black is for mourning — we are celebrating Debbie on this day, so color is encouraged. Ladies, heals may be a little tough for the terrain.

Appetizers and refreshments will be served throughout the day. Flowers and plants will be planted at her memorial site. If desired by friends and family, feel free to bring one in honor of Debbie.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.
Love leaves a memory no one can steal. “

Please bring your thoughts, prayers and fondest memories of our beautiful and beloved Deby Moorhead. This is a time to celebrate the wonderful life Deby lived. Laughter and funny stories are encouraged.