Debi Markussen

Douglas Markussen Debi was the first of five children born to Mary and Daniel F. Noonan Jr. Debi instinctively took the role of “Big Sister “ and ran with it. She did everything in her power to help and protect each of her siblings. She loved them all very much. #1 Hit song https://youtu.be/KaFtsqU2V6U

Douglas Markussen Debi’s sister Denise was born on January 26th 1953. She married Michael Collins on June 22nd 1974 and gave birth to three children, Jason 4/3/75, Amanda 1/8/77 and Kristin 6/3/81. Amanda married Scott Montemurno on August 6th 2004 and they have four sons, Michael, Daniel, Justin and John. Jason is with his life partner, Rochelle Iannuzzi. Kristin married Karim Zaklama on April 9th 2011. #1 Hit song https://youtu.be/Y22tIJ6toPY

Douglas Markussen Debi’s sister Doreen was born on July 20th 1955. She married Joseph Hlavenka on May 9th 1981 and gave birth to one daughter, Leanne 4/18/91. Leanne married Mark Remini on February 15th 2020. Sadly Doreen past away on June 27th 2013. She is deeply missed by all. #1 Hit song. https://youtu.be/3FygIKsnkCw

Douglas Markussen Debi’s sister Diane was born on August 19th 1957. She married Brian Henry on November 2nd 1985, and gave birth to two children. Brian Jr. was born 4/20/89 and Samantha 12/6/95. Brian Jr. married Stephanie McNeal on July 30th 2016. #1 Hit song https://youtu.be/23zLefwiii4

Douglas Markussen Debi finally got her brother. Daniel F. Noonan III was born on November 26th 1959. He married Joan Serafin on November 18th 1989. They have two children Nicholas 7/28/84 and Brittney 10/18/90. #1 Hit song https://youtu.be/KKcCaCgMLBE

Douglas Markussen Debi and I graduated from JFK Memorial H.S. together. We had gone to school together since the second grade. We went out a couple of times in Junior High but nothing serious. During our H.S. Years she had a steady boyfriend but they broke up in the summer of “69” and I was lucky enough to be there to make my move. Best move I ever made. Debi landed the leading female role in "Harvey" our senior play. One of the girls she beat out for the role ended up on Broadway. The #1 Hit song. https://youtu.be/JywK_5bT8z0

Douglas Markussen Miss Deborah Marie Noonan, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel F. Noonan Jr., 53 Washington Ave., became the bride of Douglas E. Markussen, son of Carl T. Markussen, 8 Melvin Ave., Saturday at 4 pm in St. Cecelia's Roman Catholic Church. Rev. Francis Herron officiated. We spent our Honeymoon at “Cove Haven”, a honeymoon resort on Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos. The Mets were in the World Series at the time, which caused our first argument as a married couple. I invited another Met fan and his new wife, back to our room to watch the game. She got over it but I didn’t do it again. I got the best of that deal. I could not have asked for a better wife or Mother to my children. She was my best friend. She saved my life. I’m sorry I waited so long to tell her that. Our Wedding song https://youtu.be/__VQX2Xn7tI The #1 Hit song. https://youtu.be/FjqBhZj_37U

Douglas Markussen Debi’s first flight on a plane. She kept such good records that I can tell you it was American Airlines flight 639. We stayed at a brand new hotel called “Grotto Bay”. They called it this partly because it had a discotheque in a cave. Debi had a moment that I teased her about for the rest of her life. We were in the hotel club and there was a women singer who started asking people where they were from. When she asked Debi, her response was Jersey. The women said, where at? Debi said, the United States. The singer said I know that, I'm from Plainfield. We got around on a moped and she enjoyed it so much we bought one soon after we came home. #1 Hit song https://youtu.be/vHIdHIWfnl4

Douglas Markussen Debi was tired of my summer of softball so at the end of the season she had her uncle Jimmy make reservations for us in Wildwood. When she told me the dates I said that’s when the playoffs are. She reluctantly canceled the reservations when I told her I would take her wherever she wanted when the playoffs were done. She chose Aruba and I said book it. Our first night in Aruba we met another couple, Rose and Joe Golden of Philadelphia. At the end of the night Joe asked me “do you play softball”? I said yes, why? He said because we are playing against the bartenders and bellhops tomorrow and need more guys. I looked at Debi and she said go ahead, it might be fun. We played two games. Debi did enjoy herself . One afternoon I was at the Tiki bar and there were two girls across from me. They asked me where we were from and I said New Jersey. They said where in Jersey? I knew they wouldn't know where Iselin was, so I said Woodbridge. They said is that anywhere near Iselin? They worked for Seimens in Connecticut. #1 Hit song https://youtu.be/qJLW6xGtl3Q

Douglas Markussen Debi and I spent many weekends for three or four years, at the Delaware Watergap and Lake Wallenpaupack. We went boating and water skiing with my Sister June and her family.Brother-in-Law Jim, my Niece Sandy and my Nephews Jimmy and Michael. We not only spent weekends but vacationed there too. We found a little beach on the river where we could beach the boats and party all day. We met a lot of good friends up there and took many good memories from our time with them.

Douglas Markussen Debi and I were lying in bed watching the news one night, when they announced that one of the airlines was offering round trip tickets to California for $99. The next day Debi booked our flight to Los Angeles. While we were there we went to Disneyland, Hollywood, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal, Sea World, San Diego Zoo and Tijuana Mexico. She liked to map out our itinerary to get the most out of our time. The picture of Debi in front of a house is of course Lucille Balls. #1 Hit song https://youtu.be/StKVS0eI85I

Douglas Markussen We waited 10 years and it finally happened. Laurie Michele Markussen was born. She weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz. She was well worth the wait. #1 Hit song https://youtu.be/OMOGaugKpzs

Douglas Markussen We vacationed in North Carolina on Kerr Lake. Debi, Laurie and I went with my sister June and her family, Larry Brougham (Jims brother) and his children and friends from the Watergap Steve and Sharon. We towed our original trailer I got from Gary and Cookie. The others towed their boats. We had a great time water skiing and just hanging out together. Laurie had a great time with the other kids and our rubber raft. She also took all the coins I kept on the console of my van and put them in what she thought was a bank. It was my cassette player. #1 Hit song https://youtu.be/izGwDsrQ1eQ

Douglas Markussen Kevin Douglas Markussen was born on December 13th, 1986. He weighed in at 11 lbs. 1oz. He measured 23 1/2 inches long. When the Asian doctor held him up, his words were “boy, huge”. #1 Hit song https://youtu.be/HyTpu6BmE88

Douglas Markussen Debi, Denise, Amanda and Krissy’s trip to Vegas

Douglas Markussen Debi and I went to Monmouth College to see the American Idol Live concert. She went to at least one other. This year 2014’s winner was Caleb Johnson. https://youtu.be/Q2d3BpC4dX8

Douglas Markussen July 4th weekend at Denise and Mike’s. She loved this song. Can you tell ? Jay sent the Sweet Caroline video around Christmas 2020. Debi sent a video back to say she was still singing. The third video is from Joe's 70th birthday party at the VFW. The rest are short clips of Debi.

Douglas Markussen Debi passed away about 7 months after being diagnosed with a Thymic Carcinoma. Cancer of the Thymus Gland. She spent her last 4 months at home as was her wish. Kevin was her main caregiver and Laurie and I took care of her at night. Her siblings and other close relatives made daily visits. She knew she was loved. She kept her sense of humor and her infectious laugh right to the end. She was a very special person and will be missed by all that knew her. I was never one for PDA or mushy talk so regretably it was not til Debi was sick that I finally figured out a way to let her know how I really felt about her. I played her a song. This song was a perfect way of letting her know exactly how I felt about her and how grateful I was that she said yes when I asked her to marry me. She listened and understood what I was trying to say and we both cried. I am so glad I was able to tell her before it was too late. This was the song I played for her. https://youtu.be/NSfOB8ANdWU

Douglas Markussen Laurie, Kevin, Debi and I would like to thank our FAMILY, FRIENDS and NEIGHBORS for their prayers, support and donations throughout Debi's fight and since her death. We really appreciate everything you all did for the four of us. We can never repay you. Special thanks to Father Sean Winters for the great services he performed. Everybody commented how wonderful you were. I know Debi was smiling. More special thanks to Helen and Tommy Christo. Helen cooked and Tommy delivered trays of delicious food every week for the four months that Debi was in Hospice. I can't imagine how much time and money they put into their effort. We will never forget it. Debi’s Favorite Funeral Song https://youtu.be/MvpjxfWrjzY