I love adventure.
Including teaching middle school.
I have great friends.
And I have breast cancer.
Again.
This is my story.
Latest Updates
Remembering Debbie
Today is Christmas and it’s also Debbie’s birthday. I cannot believe it’s the second birthday we’ve celebrated without her. Today, we her friends, wish you all well and remember her wonderful light — a light that cannot be extinguished, only transformed. She lights our memories and our days, because Debbie made an impression not just…
A Bitter Anniversary
The one-year anniversary of a loved one’s death is a strange time. Our heads are filled with memories and our hearts with emotion. We are expected in this time to have mourned, to have reconciled our feelings, and to now have moved on. It is expected that mourning a parent, spouse, or child will take…
Invitation to Celebrate a Life
The friends of Debbie Pakaluk invite you to come celebrate her life and legacy on Monday, May 1 from 4-6:30 PM at the Glenstone Museum 12100 Glen Road Potomac, Maryland 20854 The ceremony of remembrance and reflection will begin at 4:30 PM, followed by a reception, will both be on the patio, which is a…
Celebration of Life and Disposition of Ashes
Please save the date for these two events: Join us in celebrating the life of Debbie Pakaluk on Monday, May 1st, 2023 for a time of remembrance and reflection at Glenstone Museum in Potomac, MD from 4-6:30 PM. In accordance to Debbie’s wishes,And inspired by this poem,This event will be alternative in format.Rather than speakers…
Life After Death
Today, a child was born, not only in Bethlehem but also in Grayslake, Illinois. Our Debbie would have been 63 years old. Debbie’s special spirit was like a perpetual motion machine. She touched so many people, literally, all over the world, and even now, continues to do so. She influenced and affected people strongly. Whether…
Debra Pakaluk 1959-2022
Debra Pakaluk died peacefully in her sleep while at Casey House in Rockville, MD, on November 2, 2022. She was 62. Born on Christmas Day, Debbie brought much joy to the world. Debbie grew up in Grayslake, IL. Debbie acquired her love of nature, travel, puzzles, cards, board games, stories, and the performing arts from…
Final Decisions
This is what Debbie has asked to be posted today: As you may recall, Debbie went on palliative care last January when her medical team discovered that her cancer was metastatic. Since then, her medical team has attempted to reduce and to alleviate her symptoms through a number of treatments: increasing and/or altering her meds;…
The Saga Continues …
Hi, this is Diana Belchase, Debbie’s friend posting on her behalf once more. I am sad to be doing this, because we truly hoped that Debbie would be posting here herself by now. Unfortunately, she isn’t, and the news isn’t great. Sigh. Debbie dictated most of this herself, and I’m filling in around the edges,…
Miracles Big and Small
Well, you probably didn’t think you’d be hearing from me, Diana Belchase, again. After all, wonder woman that she is, Debbie is supposed to be here posting herself. Well, she is getting close. She’s seeing better every day, but it’s still too much of a struggle for her to write a long post. So, with…
Debbie's New Journey 