Deborah A. Lunderville

On the morning of April 26th, 2020 Deborah Ann Lunderville passed away in her sleep from kidney cancer. She had recently been diagnosed and was fighting with courage and hope, like everything else she had done in her life.

Deborah was born in Denver Colorado on April 14th, 1953. Roman Holiday was playing in theaters and “I’ve Got The World On A String” by Frank Sinatra was playing in homes at the time, very fitting to who she was. She was born to Charlotte and John who had met in the local neighborhood. She was an only child but relished in her time spent with her grandparents and cousins Terri, Cindy, Lee, and Drusilla. When Deborah was 10, they moved to Echo Park in Los Angeles, California. She loved beauty and fashion from an early age, dressing up her dolls and sewing her own clothing. In high school she got a job at a local department store and eventually worked her way up to becoming a buyer, which was perfectly suited to her natural eye for style. Her style, beauty and grace also placed her first runner up for Miss Pico Rivera when she was in high school.

She eloped with her first husband George Esparza in 1971 and had their son Eric in 1975. They moved to Witchita falls, Texas Air Force Base to start their lives. She enjoyed caring for her son, and building a home while working at a local store. She was always a caring and dutiful daughter, returning to Denver to care for her grandparents, while working and taking business classes.

Eventually they moved back to California near Norton Air Force Base. They would later divorce and Deborah knew she needed to work hard to give him a better life. Working was always important for her, to have a means of supporting herself and her son, independent of her relationships.  She worked diligently to get a longtime position at California Edison, and made a strong network of girlfriends who became like family.

One night out she met her future husband Michael Lunderville, at a local restaurant. She always talked about how smart and business oriented he was, and they went on exciting dates like concerts, new restaurants and weekend trips. They soon married and had their daughter Chantal in 1986. Deborah went back to school to get her undergraduate degree in business and excelled in networking and human resources, and later went on to found her own staffing agency in Redlands, California.

Their family life was focused on quality time together taking trips to Tahoe, the Sierras, fishing, golfing, and traveling. Deborah was a devoted wife and took care of Michael throughout his battle with lung disease.

Following Michael’s passing, Deborah devoted herself to business partnership and supporting her son Eric through the ups and downs of taking over the family business. She continued to travel, spend time with her children and care for their maltese Teddy. She did an immersion class in San Miguel de Allende and traveled with her daughter throughout Europe and Italy. For the first time in her life she was truly free of taking care of anyone but herself. However, she still loved to be a mom and dropped everything to help her kids with whatever they needed. Deborah once said her favorite person in the world was her granddaughter Elise- she most enjoyed taking her to museums, the beach, and having lunch together.

Deborah moved back to Denver at the end of her life to be closer to her Stillman family and cousins. She always longed to be closer to them and the Colorado spirit of kindness and openness that was instilled in her. Anyone who knew her loved her bright energy, hunger for life, and excitement to try new things. She took impeccable care of herself, and would dress up for even small occasions. She was very beautiful, but also had a tender heart, that she looked out for the most vulnerable people around her-- volunteering at the local Clifford Still Museum and donating toys to children in Denver for the holidays. She was unwavering in her pursuit of a more loving and nurturing life for her family and everyone that came into contact with her.

She will be survived by her son Eric, daughter in law Julie, daughter Chantal and granddaughter Elise.

Services will be held Wednesday, May 6th at Drinkwine Mortuary, with viewings from 1:00-3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers,please make donations to: 

https://www.facebook.com/donate/563540984297172/10107518513954594/

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