Our wife, mother, sister, and “MomO”, Debra Sorensen O’Neil, passed away January 14, 2025. Surrounded by family, she passed away from an infection that followed a valiant battle with breast cancer.
Debra was born on November 24, 1950 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Marva Walker and Morris Sorensen. Her father passed away when she was seven years old, and her mother was expecting her fifth child. She would later be blessed with her beloved stepfather, John Harrison Lent. Perhaps related to this early trauma, Debra learned the importance of lifelong service, education, and devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and family. As the oldest child, she additionally learned leadership skills that she would utilize the rest of her life.
Debra was the valedictorian of the Uintah High School class of 1969. That fall, she began studying at Brigham Young University. Marriage and family interrupted her studies, and she later returned and graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Business, with a minor in Organ Studies.
Perhaps her greatest adventure was when she married her sweetheart, Michael C. O’Neil, in the Manti, Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on August 22, 1974. Together they settled in South Pasadena, CA, had six children, and built their forever home on Milan Ave.
Debra took her responsibilities as a mother seriously. She loved her children and instilled in them a love for service and community involvement through her tireless efforts. Debra was an exemplary community member as she worked to serve others in her church. Within the Church, she served in many capacities including: Stake Relief Society President, Ward Young Women’s President, and cherished her many hours spent in The Los Angeles Temple. Prior to her illness, she volunteered as a senior missionary in the California Arcadia Mission.
Outside of the Church, her service efforts were innumerable, including playing and accompanying others on the piano; sewing costumes for many productions with the SPUSD; volunteered at Marengo Elementary School, SPMS PTA, SPHS PTA; The Right to Life League; as well as a leader in Girl Scout, Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops. Additionally, as a mother to six, she spent untold hours volunteering in each of her children’s classrooms.
Importantly, Debra’s service was centered on, and came from, her deep and abiding love for her Savior, Jesus Christ. This testimony, combined with her zeal for life and love for others, made it nearly impossible to feel like you were anything but her favorite person. She was constantly looking out for others and sought to better their lives without ever wanting to be a burden. It was this dynamic nature that helped you know she cared deeply for you. Her boundless energy and love were possibly felt the most deeply by her family and those who loved her dearly. When she was not providing service, she was found writing a thank-you note, reading a book, or planning her and Mike’s next trip. Debra has written more thank-you notes than we will ever know.
Debra was as optimistic as they come -- even though after accomplishing a task, event or bike ride etc. she would say with a smile, “Well, glad that’s over!” Others around her would smile and laugh with her because her words were opposite of her genuine goodness and positive attitude.
She was loved and admired by so many and will be greatly missed. We certainly know that heaven gained another angel.
Debra is survived by her loving husband, Michael C. O’Neil; her children, Christopher (Nicole) O’Neil, Lisa (Jim) Vinton, Riley (Jillian) O’Neil, Megan (Adrian) McCracken, Hilary (Benjamin) Eschler, Jennifer (Landon) Richards; twenty wonderful grandchildren; and legions of friends and relatives.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11:00AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1919 Huntington Drive, South Pasadena, CA. Services will also be streamed at: https://zoom.us/j/91566943231
Please deliver flowers to the O'Neil residence. In lieu of flowers, please consider serving as Debra did -- giving blood to your local hospital, sending a loved one a thank-you note, or supporting missionary efforts.
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Starts at 11:00 am (Pacific time)
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