DEBRA GIST

August 4, 1954 - February 16, 2017

Debra C. Gist, 62, of Tucson, Arizona, formerly of West Milford, NJ, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2017 in Arizona. She was born on August 4, 1954 in Paterson, NJ to the late Rudolph and Joan Matesich. Debra graduated from Eastside High School in Paterson in 1972. In 1993 she graduated from Orange-Ulster BOCES as an LPN (licensed practical nurse) Almost immediately she started working as a private nurse for Louis Wallisch Jr. in West Milford until his passing in 2001. From 2002 to 2004 she was a home health nurse in NJ, from 2004 to 2011 she was a Charge Nurse at Santa Rosa Care Center in Tucson AZ., from 2012 to 2015 she was a Charge Nurse at Oasis Pavilion Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Casa Grande AZ, from 2015-2016 she worked at Cedar Crest in Riverdale, NJ then in 2016 she worked in Mountain View Care Center in Tucson, AZ. Debra married Kenneth Gist in 2012 and resided in Tucson, AZ. She was predeceased by her beloved daughter Melanie Dougherty in 2002, her loving mother Joan Matesich in 2002 and her loving father Rudolph Matesich in 1998. Debra is survived by her loving husband Ken, of Arizona, her dear sons Jason Pierce of West Milford, NJ, Brian Pierce of Tucson, AZ, and Steve Pierce of Greenwood Lake, NY; her cherished grandchildren Travis Dougherty, and Hailey, Kayla, and Jaxon Pierce; her dear siblings Ken Matesich of Tucson, AZ, Cindy Edzenga of Wycoff, NJ, and Nannette Matesich of Whiting, NJ; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. She loved to travel, going for walks, reading, going to casinos, but most of all visiting and spending time with her family. Debra will best be remembered as a caring mother, wife, grandmother, and nurse. She also made the best sauce and lasagna! The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 from 4pm to 8pm at the Stickle-Soltesz Funeral Home, 187 La Rue Road, Newfoundland, NJ 07435 (GPS use 1 Post Place). Family and friends will gather and share fond memories of Debra’s life on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 10am at the funeral home. Immediately following the gathering Debra will be interred beside her daughter Melanie at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Totowa, NJ. Memorial donations may be made in Debra’s name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266; www.pancan.org. Log onto www.sticklesolteszfuneralhome.com tribute wall to personally post your condolences, memories, photos, and videos, as well as obtaining driving directions to the funeral home.