Deborah Susanna Bardessono Collins, 66, of Prosser, WA, passed away surrounded by her family on February 26th, 2023 in Kennewick, Washington. She was known by many names; Deborah, Debbie, Deb, Debs, and to a great many, she will forever be remembered as “Auntie.” Whatever name you knew her by, you knew her to be a kind, loving, giving and generous person.
Debbie was born on March 19th, 1956, in Prosser, Washington. She was the only girl and the third of five children born to Joseph and Joyce (Ouderkirk) Bardessono. She attended school in Prosser and graduated from Prosser High School with the class of 1974. Debbie was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on September 22nd, 1973. She had faith in the Bible‘s promise of a resurrection, and she enjoyed sharing her beliefs in God‘s Kingdom with others. Other than living in Enumclaw, Washington, for a short time in the 1980s and 10 years in Portland, Oregon, she lived in Prosser most of her life. She started her career in retail in downtown Prosser at Teens to Queens and later worked as a women’s clothing department manager for Nordstrom. While living in Portland, she also worked as a receptionist and bookkeeper at her cousin’s hair salon. After returning to Prosser to be closer to her family, she opened and operated a home daycare. After closing her daycare, she worked at Davy’s Burger Ranch, LLC. until retiring.
Debbie was a wonderful artist. She enjoyed painting ceramics, doing crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and loved reading her People magazines. If you wanted to know what was happening with the stars in Hollywood, she was the one to ask! Debbie spoiled her dogs. Herbie and Louie, were two of her most beloved dachshunds. Her last dog, Minnie, also held a special place in her heart. One of Debbie’s greatest loves was her love of children. Over the years, she babysat many children, including her nieces and nephews, and later, her great nieces and nephews. She will always be remembered as their “Auntie.” Debbie was married to Jack Collins in 2001, in Coeur d’Alene, ID. She is survived by her brothers, Timothy (Francis) Bardessono of Prosser, Matthew (Bronyn) Bardessono of Richland, Mark Bardessono of Prosser, and her sister-in-law, Sheri Bardessono of Prosser. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, David N. Bardessono, and her former husband, Jack Collins.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday, March 18th at the Prosser Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses (330 Nunn Road). A luncheon will immediately follow at the Prosser Community Center (1231 Dudley Avenue).