Deborah (Debbie) Barrera
Deborah (Debbie) Barrera, resident of League City, Texas, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2021, at home with her family after fighting a strong battle with cancer. She was devoted to her family and friends and was one of the most positive, kindest people that anyone could meet.
Debbie was born on February 1, 1970, to Roberta and Harold Rogers. She graduated Dickinson High School in 1988 and was still a devoted GATOR and attended football games as often as possible! She married the love of her life, Tom Barrera, on November 7, 1991, and they were blessed with three beautiful children. She went to Alvin Community College and University of Texas Medical Branch where she received her BSN and became a registered nurse. She was employed at UTMB for over 24 years in the Neonatology Intensive Care Unit where she received the Nurse Manager Fellowship in 2013 from the Aone Foundation. She joined Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital in the Department of Pediatrics as Nurse Manager of the Research Resources Office (RRO) in 2015 and was very proud of her team and the work they accomplished to help pediatric patients. She was promoted to the Baylor faculty in 2019 during which time she led the RRO through a period of growth and expansion. She received the Clinical Research Center Clinical Research Award in 2018 in recognition of her leadership and training of RRO staff leading to excellence in clinical research. In 2021, she received the Houston Chronicle Salute to Nurses award and was one of the top 15 awardees selected. Debbie was a nurse first and foremost always putting the patients and their families before anything else.
Debbie was the most precious soul and enjoyed life to the fullest. She was continually smiling and always had a kind word to say to everyone. She was a proud member of Shrine of the True Cross Church, acting as Cantor and a member of the choir. She volunteered for the Fall Festival and helped in any way possible. Debbie was very active and enjoyed being with her family outdoors, especially fishing. She enjoyed being the only person who typically caught a fish!
She is preceded in death by her parents, brother David Dacbert, father-in-law Ben Nava, Grandmother in law Guadalupe Rico, Brother-in-law Robert Anderson, Nephew Robby Anderson, Niece Bella Nava-Brumbaugh.
She is survived by her beloved husband Tom Barrera; daughter Trinity; and sons Christian and Jackson as well as many other loving family members.
Debbie will be remembered for her love of her family, her strong faith, and grace.
A visitation will be held at Shrine of the True Cross Church in Dickinson, Texas, on Sunday, November 21, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held at Shrine of the True Cross Catholic Church on Monday, November 22, 2021, at 10:00am with interment following at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Dickinson, Texas.
Memorial donations can be made to Shrine of the True Cross Catholic School.
My most sincere condolences to the Barrera family. Debbie was a colleague at UTMB. She was a brilliant nurse and a valuable resource to all nurses who were privileged to work with her. Her professionalism was one to be modeled. But above all that, her most prevailing characteristic was her extraordinary kindness and thoughtfulness. Thank-you Debbie for all that you taught me through the years but especially your kindness. Fly high sweet girl…..the world was a better place because you were here.
God picked the most beautiful flower from the earth to adorn His heavenly garden. We just weren’t ready for her to journey home this soon. This sweet soul has left an indelible mark in our lives and in our hearts. To know Debbie was to love her and to be her friend was a gift that she shared. To hear her sing was like hearing a voice from heaven. I always loved when she cantored at Shrine of the True Cross – unforgettable. My heart goes out to Tom, Christian, Trinity, Jackson and mother-in-law Vangie Nava and all her close and dear friends and relatives. May God send His holy angels to comfort and console you as you grieve the loss of your loved one.
Until we meet her again in our heavenly home, I will remember Debbie and her beautiful family in my thoughts and in my prayers. God bless you all.
0ur deepest condolences for your loss. My wife and I worked with Debbie for many years at UTMB. She was and will always be a shining light. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sincerely, Terry and Ruby Jensen.
The Broussard family is extremely saddened to hear about this. She was a wonderful Den leader to Cash and the rest of the boys, and was truly a light to the world.
Thank you, Lord, for sharing her with us. We are sorry we didn’t know sooner to pay our respects appropriately. Prayers to your family at this difficult time.😢
On this Anniversary of Debbie’s passing and Ascension I know that she is at the Right Hand of GOD and doing HIS work 🙏❤️✝️