Deborah "Debbie" Marie O'Connor

Deborah O’Connor went to be with Lord on November 28, 2021 at her home in Lake Stevens, WA and is to be laid to rest in Ferndale, WA. Deborah was born to Bill and Shirley Marie (Jensen) Papuc in Ladner, BC, Canada on October 30th, 1959. Deborah is survived by her husband of nearly 35 years, John Patrick O’Connor and their two daughters, Sarah Marie O’Connor of Everett, WA and Kathryn Alyssa (Carl) Kulper of Stanwood, WA.

She is also survived by her parents, of Surrey, BC, her sister Karen (Landon) Kitagawa, and brothers Eric (Lesli) Papuc, Mark Papuc and Matthew Papuc.

Deborah grew up in Ladner BC. Her life’s highlight was to encounter her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ while studying at the University of British Columbia. She served Him throughout her adult life, first as a single missionary in Mexico and later with her family in Central America and around the world. God blessed her ministry and her work as is evidenced by the many women who she “spurred on toward love and good deeds (Heb 10:24)”

Deborah’s family immigrated from Europe. Her father’s family came from Romania through Ellis Island and settled in North Dakota. Like many immigrants, they battled hard conditions to make a life for themselves eventually migrating to Saskatchewan, Canada. Her mother’s family were the Jensen’s from Denmark and Skopinich’s from Austria.

A missionary friend from Honduras commented on Deborah’s life that “when I think of you, I think of how sensitive you are to people, how prayerful and watchful and discerning you are and how desiring you are to do God’s will and abide in Him.” Her husband’s observation is that through the decades Deborah has been a very real and sincere friend to many. Many!

Memorial services for Deborah will be held at Cascade Community Church of Monroe, WA on December 18, 2021 at 1 pm and at South Delta Baptist Church of Tsawwassen, BC, January 8, 2022 at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Arkansas Valley Pregnancy Center, 118 W 4th St, La Junta, CO 81050 USA.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart!
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NAS)