Debbie was truly an incredible human being. I, too, was new at Notre Dame High School in San Francisco when I first met Debbie in 1975. One day I saw this kid coming towards me as I ate my lunch alone. She introduced herself and asked me to join her 3 friends, Julie Rapisura, Martha Rocha and Elizabeth Thomas for lunch. That was the beginning of our Fab 5’s 40 year friendship. Fab 5 friends initially met once every quarter and we watched movie, have a meal at a restaurant and walk around the area. Last December 2014, I received a call from Debbie that she was given about a year to live. We as friends decided to meet once a month to spend more time with Debbie. Our last get-together was on Oct. 3rd of this year and this time was joined by Maria Salgado, another high school friend who found us. At the end of our meal, Debbie told us that this may very well be the last get-together she can attend with us. I visited her at her home on Oct 30th and said my good-bye to my dearest friend since my surgery was scheduled on Nov 4th. Debbie made my life a whole lot better since I met her 40 years ago. Debbie had touched many lives including mine. I’ll be seeing you, my friend.
