Deborah Maria Barker

The world lost one of its best examples of grace, kindness and strength on June 22, 2024. Deborah “Debbie” Maria Barker passed away in Sarasota, Florida that morning after a two-year fight with pancreatic cancer. Born in Plymouth, England on February 13, 1955, Debbie was the beloved wife of Stephen, mother of Kate Quesada (Mike) and Nikki Caragiulo (Paul) and grandmother of Sophie Caragiulo, Dylan Quesada, Caroline Caragiulo and Max Quesada. Debbie spent her youth in Coventry, England with her parents Raymond and Maureen and brothers Barrie and Grahame. She met Stephen, the love of her life, when she was 16 and they married months after her 18th birthday in August of 1973. As a young couple, Stephen and Debbie lived in Coventry, London and Manchester before settling in Buckinghamshire where they raised their daughters until moving to Florida in 1994. Debbie’s early career included time spent as a medical secretary and after taking time home with the girls, she later spent many years working with Stephen at Hartstone. When the family moved to Florida in 1994, Debbie began work on The Marco Review tourist magazine, a vital guide for visitors to and residents of Marco Island, Florida. Through her work at the magazine, Debbie impacted many lives and helped countless small businesses flourish. A wonderful photographer and writer, in her spare time, Debbie loved visiting the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, walking the beach, reading, exploring and enjoying nature and wildlife, especially birds, watching tennis and soccer and spending time with her beloved family and cats. Her grandchildren were lights in her life, and she loved watching them grow up. Shortly after losing Stephen in May 2022, Debbie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and her last two years were spent bravely fighting the persistent disease while enjoying every minute possible with her family. Through surgery and chemotherapy treatments, Debbie showed nothing but grace and strength and was an inspiration to all she met. She will be gravely missed by so many who she touched with her kindness and thoughtfulness every minute of her life. Services to celebrate Debbie’s life will take place at Toale Brothers Funeral Home located at 40 North Orange Ave in Sarasota on Monday, July 1 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tidewell Hospice or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan.org).

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Deborah Maria Barker

February 13, 1955 - June 22, 2024