Deborah Palombi

Deborah DePond Palombi peacefully passed away on December 3, 2025. She was 68 years old. The family is deeply saddened by her death. She was preceded in death by her parents Dr. John and Patricia DePond, and her younger brother, Dr. Robert DePond.

Deborah was born on November 8, 1957, in Clayton, MO. She was always driven to help others, which led to a 40+ year career in healthcare.

Deborah’s greatest joy in life was being a mother and raising her two children, ensuring they grew into the people they are today. In 2006, she married the love of her life - John. They remained together until her death. The family created many memories together and shared traditions, including Kansas City trips, baking cookies and making tiramisu on the holidays and their mutual love for animals - at one point taking in four dogs and two cats.

In her later years, Deborah cherished her role as a grandmother, known to her grandchildren as “Gigi”. She took an active role in the lives of her grandchildren, always being present to teach a skill, provide sage advice, or turn a frown to a smile.

She earned her BSN from Barnes-Jewish Goldfarb School of Nursing, and later her MSN. She obtained an MA Counseling and was a Nurse Practitioner. She was a nurse at BJC hospital, in the neo-natal intensive care unit, then a flight nurse, and an Ozark flight attendant, before returning to nursing full time. She became an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Goldfarb, WashU School of Nursing and then spent another 15 years consulting on EPIC; implementing systems nationwide to help patients and physicians access health records.

Her sense of humor was infectious and endless. Deborah was always the first to crack a joke, to offer a hug, or to provide counsel to someone in need. She was stubborn and determined in her desire to help others, relentless in support for her family and loved ones, and the very heart and soul of so many people’s lives. Her legacy and impact lives on through them.

Deborah is survived by her husband, John; son, John and his wife Jennie; daughter, Emily, her husband Charlie, and their children, Cameron and Jamie; her sister, Carolyn and husband Paul; and her brothers Dr. William DePond and John DePond.

A Catholic mass will be held at St. Anselm’s Parish, located at 500 North Mason Road, on Saturday, December 27th, at 10:30 AM. A celebration of life will be held on December 27th, at Greenbriar Hills Country Club, 12665 Big Bend Road, from 12 PM to 3 PM.

Contributions to her memory may be made out to the American Diabetes Association, Stray Rescue of St. Louis, and the Dementia Society of America.