Debra Jackson Obituary

East Greenwich, RI - Debra (Patzig) Jackson, 74, passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2025, at Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI. She was born on August 14, 1950, in Lakehurst, New Jersey to the late David and Marian (Newman) Patzig. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary Lou (Patzig) Gooch.
Debra grew up in the coastal community of Spring Lake, NJ. After graduating from Virginia Tech University, she returned to New Jersey and spent most of her life in the shore area where she was employed as an elementary school teacher by the Wall Township school system, retiring in 2005. After taking many trips north to be with family, in 2016 Debra took the leap to become a New Englander herself, settling in another coastal community, East Greenwich, RI.
Our beloved "Debbie" lit up the room with her wit, warmth, and interest in everyone and everything. She was a lifelong learner and creator, filling her loved ones' lives with new ideas and cherished creations. She was known for her personal style and flair for creating beautiful living spaces where everyone felt at home. To know her was to love her.
Debra is survived by her beloved significant other John Benenato of East Greenwich, RI; niece Cindy Gleichauf and her husband Gary of Franklin, MA; nephew Robert Gooch and his wife Barbara of Foxboro, MA; great nephew Kurt Gleichauf and his wife Annie of Medford, MA; great nieces Heidi Gleichauf of Jersey City, NJ and Nola Gooch of Foxboro, MA; many cherished cousins, and the friends she made everywhere she went.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 1:00 PM in the Garden Room at Lake Pearl, 299 Creek Street, Wrentham, MA 02093. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (https://themmrf.org/).