Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on Saturday, November 30th, 2024.
Devoted mother of Angelia (Richard) Kuehnle, Jessica (Joseph) Harris, Tyler (Ashli) Layton, and Mallory (Ryan) Vandermus; adoring grandmother of Ella and Michael Kuehnle, Josephine and Juliette Harris, Brendan and Zachary Layton, and Paula and Trudy Vandermus; beloved daughter of Nancy Larson (nee Tyree); loving sister of Donna Mae Villarreal and Christine (Dennis) Bartels; dearest aunt of Antonio, Alex, Staci, Joshua, and Jack; our dear great aunt, cousin, and friend to many.
In lieu of flowers, contributions made to Nurses for Newborns are greatly appreciated.
Debbie was a dedicated nurse for over 35 years caring for infants. She cherished and loved her work both through Nurses For Newborns and at Barnes Hospital in the nursery. She loved spending time with friends, going to sporting events, took much pride in her St. Louis heritage and was fiercely independent. But her love for her family and spending time with her children and grandchildren was her favorite thing to do. Whether it was a family vacation to the beach or a simple family dinner, making memories with her family was very special to her. Debbie’s legacy of love and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who were privileged to know her.
SERVICES: Visitation on Thursday, December 5th 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kutis South County Chapel (5255 Lemay Ferry Rd., 63129). Funeral Mass on Friday, December 6th, at 10:00 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church (7622 Sutherland Ave., 63119). Interment at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.
I am so sorry for your loss. Debbie was a compassionate woman loved by many. I cannot express my sorrow enough in hearing of her passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs and love to Angie, Jessica, Mallory and Tyler. Love Aunt Joyce
I am so very sorry for the loss of your sweet mother. She’s had a rough few years and I know how tired she was of dealing with her health issues. She’s was an awesome mother, nana, nurse and woman who had the kindest caring heart and a beautiful smile and laugh. Thoughts, prayers, and hugs for you all
May you find peace in your memories. Deb was a great coworker who very much loved her job taking care tiny patients. Deb will be missed by many. I am so sorry for your loss.
My condolences to debs family. She cherished each and everyone of you. Deb and I met in nursing school and spent most of our careers together. I’ve heard so much about all 4 of her kids, her siblings, neices, nephews, and of course the grandbabies! To know Debbie was to know love. I’m praying for comfort and strength for all of you.
Tyler, So very sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. My heart goes out to you and your family. I will certainly make a contribution to the Nurses for Newborns. Again, so sorry for you loss!
Deb truly was one of the most kind people I have ever met. She was an expert in her area and many looked to her as a resource. I will greatly miss Deb. She was a genuine treasure. My thoughts and prayers go to all her family.
Angie, Jess, Tyler and Mallory… I want to express my sincere sympathy to all of you in the loss of your mom! She was devoted to you all and I know you will miss her, but knowing that she is now in the blissful arms of the Lord has to be a great comfort! It’s something we won’t understand until we, ourselves experience it! Please know that I love you all and if you ever need anything I’m here for you! With much love, Jan.
In so many ways, Deb was a living saint, who seemed to be the happiest when she was able to help others. Her capacity to love was endless, and she truly lived for others. There is no better evidence of this than her four outstanding kids and her precious grandchildren. It is impossible to think of Debbie without also thinking about her kids and grandkids: they were simply her life. Her untimely passing leaves us in deep grief and disbelief, but we know, without a doubt, she took the express elevator to heaven last Saturday. Deb, you will be so very missed. You were one of life’s great gifts. You will always be in our hearts. Your special kids and grandkids are in our thoughts and prayers. Sending love, Cindy
I had known Deb for only 2 years-started in SCN at Barnes. In that short period of time she made me feel welcome, always kind and helpful. She was cheerful and just a sweet person. Simply heartbroken for her family. I just hope that all the sweet memories that she made for her family just overcomes the sorrow that they may be experiencing at this time. May the family have the strength to bear this immense loss 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Prayers & Hugs of condolences on the transition of such a beautiful person. Deb was a friend, mentor, & one of the sweetest nurses to work alongside. I was blessed to work with Deb in Women & Infants for years. She will be missed.
So sorry to hear
I am sorry to hear of Debbie’s passing. She fought so hard to get back only to leave you all so suddenly. I know she loves you all so much. All my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I first met Deb at Deaconess Hospital where we worked together. Then reunited at Barnes. Sending prayers and my sincere condolences for your loss.
Our deepest sympathies to all the sisters, children and grandchildren. I cherish the big hug I gave her at Josie and Julie’s dance recital this past summer. She definitely loved all her family and worked so hard. She wanted to talk about her kids and grandkids and even hear about my own family. She treated all the friends like her own kids. Thank you for sharing her and we hope you find peace and comfort knowing she is still watching over you from her beach with some flamingos and no longer in pain. Much love to you all.
I had the pleasure of being Deb’s manager for a 5 years at Barnes Jewish Hospital. She was an amazing nurse, colleague, friend, and person. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time. Rest in Peace Deb.
I have known and worked with Deb for over 30 years. We haven’t been in touch for the last couple of years but I loved her dearly and respected her so much. What a huge loss.
My sincere condolences to Deb’s family and friends. May your memories of her bring you comfort during this difficult time. Deb was a respected nurse, colleague and mentor to so many nurses over the years. It’s a role in which she took great pride, and for which I had great admiration. May she rest in peace.
Beyond happy that she made it through her last health crisis and that we got to spend amazing good quality time with her, but it was not enough. It’s never enough. I was privileged to be at her bedside Friday, talk with her children ,hold her hand and talk to her and tell her it was OK to go when she was ready.. We’ve traveled together. We’ve worked together. We’ve talked thousands of hours together. We have laughed together and we have cried together. my heart is broken. My eyes keep leaking tears and I still can’t believe this has happened. I’m so sorry for the loss of Debbie for her children, her grandchildren, her family and her hundreds of friends. I feel very lucky and blessed to have known you. You were passionate about your families and your babies that you worked with. I hope when you walked through those pearly gates that there was a beach and a beach chair waiting for you.
I am so sorry for your huge loss. I’ll always be grateful to Deb for encouraging me to work at Nurses for Newborns. She helped so many thousands of babies and mentored so many nurses, Someday I would be honored to have half the impact Deb had in our community. Sending love to her family and loved ones.
Tyler Layton & family
We are so sorry to hear about this and about your loss. Thoughts, Prayers and Condolences to all your family.
With Love, David, Tammy, Dylan, Sierra and Savannah Bumgardner
Angie, Jess, Tylor and Mallory,
I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. Just remember of all the great times you’ve had with her. She is alive inside you. You are all truly loved! My heart and prayers go out to you! Be at peace and comfort that she is in a better place without pain. Miss you all!
My sincere condolences to Deb’s children and entire family on the passing of a dear friend. I had the pleasure of working with Deb at Barnes Jewish for several years and she was indeed a person with a “Servant’s Heart”. Always cheerful, always making the “tiny humans” in her care as well as their families were well taken care of. We will miss you immensely Deb in this earthly realm and may your soul Rest in Peace
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother. She was a very nice person and always seemed happy. We worked together for several years, she was very helpful and full of knowledge. I just saw her at a co-workers retirement party, she seemed to be her cheerful self. She will truly be missed. Taken much too soon. Thinking of all of you at this difficult time.
When a life was so well spent, so well lived and so immensely impactful, there are no words big enough to express how really sad her passing is.. My prayers of comfort to Deb’s family, children, grandchildren and for anyone whose life she touched. so deeply. Comfort and peace.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom. I enjoyed working with Deb for many years at Barnes SCN. She was always kind and supportive of all her “tiny human” patient’s families, and her own family and friends. She was very caring and compassionate, and would give help to anyone who needed it. She loved her kids and grandkids most of all. She will be missed always.
I only knew Deb for a few months as a new nurse at Barnes but in that short time I knew she was an amazing teacher and person. I will carry what she taught through out my nursing career. So sorry to hear of passing.
Mallory, Angie, Jess, and Tylor –
So very sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. May you take comfort in your many wonderful memories. Our prayers are with you.
Angie, Jess and Mallory,
I am so shocked and saddened to hear about the loss of your mom. I can only imagine the hurt you are feeling. Please know that that I am thinking of you and praying for your comfort and peace. She was such a kind and inspiring nurse and mother.
I was so sad to learn of the passing of my sweet friend and coworker. Debbie was a strong woman who was full of compassion. She also had a unique gift for making others feel cared for and valued. Her warmth and kindness will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
I worked with Deb for Manhattan years at Barnes. I took care of moms on L&D. When I was a new nurse, I would take moms to visit their babies. Deb was so good with the families she cared for. She was gentle, kind, encouraging and she really helped those mama’s build their confidence with their tiny little newborns. She was such a respected nurse and mentor. I learned several things from Deb myself. She always took the new nurses under her wing and passed on as much knowledge as she could. She was such a great nurse and I know she impacted many lives over the course of her career – co-workers and patients too. She will be deeply missed.
Such a sad loss for Deb’s family and the Nurses for Newborns family. She was part of the foundation for both.
So very sorry to hear. She was such a sweet person and hard worker at St Michael events. My heart aches for her family, friends and co-workers as I know she will be greatly missed. Sending love and prayers to all.
Dear Jessica and Loved Ones,
Our deepest sympathy to all of you! Such a beautiful, precious, loving Mom, Grandma, and
Special Friend to many! So very sorry for your tremendous loss! Our hearts and prayers are with you! May God be with you!🙏🙏
The second time I met Deborah was when I was doing my pediatric clinicals for nursing school at Barnes Hospital. The first was when she helped deliver me and my 3 quadruplet brothers at that same hospital 24 years ago! It was such a cool experience to meet the person who took care of me at the beginning of my life so many years ago! It hurts me to hear that she passed away. My condolences to the family and many thoughts and prayers. I hope Deborah will watch over me while I continue my own journey as a nurse.
Angie, Jessica,Tyler and Mallory,
I just now heard of your mother’s passing. Mark and I would have made every effort to attend the visitation and/or her funeral Mass, had we known. She was a sweet lady, and I know you’ll miss her dearly. She gave each of you the greatest gift she possibly could, and that’s the gift of life, and each other. Stay close, and make her proud!
Ann Riti
I just found out about my dear friend Deb Layton!
My heart is broken!
So sorry for this loss to her children and grandchildren!!!
And I know how hard this news is for her family of friends and co-workers.
I last saw Deb at Sharon’s service.
During her convalescence, we determined to go to the Kentucky Derby in the spring! We rented a lovely house by the Ohio River (she loved water)!!!
It was to be a thank you for all she meant to me during our friendship that spanned 42 yrs! We worked together at Deaconess, BJC and Nurses for Newborns. Our kids went to school together at St. Micheal’s.
Debbie was an awesome friend, co-worker, mentor and supervisor. She was so kind and generous with her love for nurses, nursing and Nurses for Newborns A wonderful Mother and Grandmother!!! So proud of her kids and grands.
In her life she made such an impact on the world!
Most of all-Debbie Layton stood for Justice and did the Right Thing even when no one was looking!