Deborah Matsumoto

Deborah Felten Matsumoto, 84, passed peacefully away at Elizabeth Church Manor June 22, 2022.
She was predeceased by: parents Wilbur and Marion Felten, daughter Sarah (Matsumoto) Kobayashi, and sister Joyce Raad
Deborah is survived by her daughter Rachel Gehring ( Dr. Lazarus - Owego) with their children Keziah (Alexander) Vandalov, Noah, Hannah, Constantine, Demetrius, Artemius, Cornelius, Mamas and Kypriana, son Stephen (Melissa) Matsumoto of San Diego and their children Job, Diego, Magdelena, and Vivia, and son, Navy Commander David (Kimberly) Matsumoto and son-in-law Mark Kobayashi with grandsons (Sarah Kobayashi) Malachi and Moses Kobayashi.
She was a member of the First Baptist church of Johnson City and prior to that involved with the Living Waters Baptist Church in Owego. Debbie was known for her big hearted compassion for those who were suffering. Originally from Philadelphia she traveled to the territory of Hawaii as a nurse anesthetist learning her trade via apprenticeship before there were formal schools. “I dropped ether under a coconut tree”. Working on a sugar plantation in the Big Island of Hawaii she was a walking history book for giving anesthesia. Coming back East she lived 30 more years in Newtown Square, Pa working in inner city hospitals and their surrounds. She raised 4 children quite successfully and remained a force to be reckoned with to her last few days. May her memory live on in all the many lives she came in contact with throughout her dynamic life.
She will be laid to rest beside her parents and sister on July 12, 2022 at Northwood Cemetery in Downingtown, PA. There will be a graveside service at noon with a reception following.