Deborah Lynn (Miller) Longoria, 68, passed away on February 7, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was a devoted Mom to four children and a cherished Gram to thirteen grandchildren. Her children and their families are Matt Franklin (wife: Kristen, children: Luke, Allyson, Megan), Aaron Franklin (wife: Lianne, children: Ellie, Grant, Blake), Jeremy Coghill (wife: Chelsea, children: Cooper, Colter, Cambrie, Cora), and Heather Zick (Coghill) (husband: Justin, children: Andrew, Adam, Austin). She is also survived by her beloved sister Linda Takahashi (husband: Kurt).

Debbie (or Deb) was born on April 30, 1956 in Visalia, California to Ralph and Barbara Miller. The oldest of three children, she grew up in Lindsay, California, alongside her siblings Linda and Mike, and is a graduate of Lindsay High School. In her teenage years, she saw much of the world, traveling to Japan with the marching band (she played the flute) and moving to the Netherlands with her first husband, Ed Franklin, with whom she had two children, Matt and Aaron. Eventually, she settled in Arizona where she spent the last forty years in the Phoenix area. In 1985 she married Don Coghill, and together they had two children, Jeremy and Heather. Later, in 2009, she married Alejandro Longoria, and in their final years together, they made their home in Gold Canyon, AZ.

With a quick laugh and an ever-positive temperament, Debbie brought light to any situation. Through many hardships–including years as a single parent and living far from family–she persevered with grace, never making her struggles apparent. For decades, she devoted herself to caring for children, whether by running a daycare from her small apartment or working as a nanny. She found immense joy in a clean house and happy children, whether they were her own, her grandkids, or someone else's–she was cherished as a mother by many.

Debbie’s greatest joys included time with family, her steady faith in Jesus Christ, an immaculately cleaned home, square dancing, laughing at everything and nothing, cats, foot rubs, trips to the beach with her sister, and (most recently) playing Pegs & Jokers. She was fiercely loyal, an indefatigable listener, and an empathetic friend who made everyone feel seen and loved.

In 1990, Debbie joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While she did not grow up with religion as a central part of her life, she possessed an intrinsic and unwavering faith in God. Throughout her years in the Church, she served in many callings, blessing the lives of countless children and young women in the Phoenix area with her kindness and devotion.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 1pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building, 2222 N. 40th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008.

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