On Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, Debra ‘Debbie’ S. Gesell-Solomon, beloved wife, sister, mother, and friend, passed away at age 64 at Kaiser Hospital, Sand Creek. She was born in Richmond, CA, to Geraldine and Clemens Gesell on August 2nd, 1959, as the youngest of six siblings. As her father was in the Army, Debbie, her mother, and siblings moved across the United States to Maryland, Colorado, and even internationally to Germany, before settling again in Richmond.

She met her future-husband, Keith Solomon, while at a Masonic mixer for Delmolay International and the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. She and Keith married on July 15th, 1989 and later welcomed their daughter, Shelby, on September 7th, 1991.

Debbie served the City of Concord as an Administrative Clerk for 23 years, and had previous jobs working for the Social Security Administration and as a preschool teacher’s aide. She moved to Pittsburg, CA, with her husband and daughter in 1997.

Debbie joined the Catholic community at Our Lady Queen of the World in 2009. She was active in her church community, having been past-president and treasurer of the first Columbiette’s organization in the western United States, a member of the Regina Mundi Guild, Hospitality Organization, church choir, and Filipino Association. Debbie loved spending time with her cats, Precious and Frodo, visiting her daughter and son-in-law in San Jose, listening to Ed Sheeran, and collecting cow-related memorabilia. She enjoyed good vegan food, watching Svengoolie and other re-runs on MeTV with her husband, laughing often, and cheering on the Saint Mary’s Gaels basketball teams. Debbie was also a crafter, and was hoping to dedicate more time to it in her retirement.

Debbie was best known for her feisty spirit, loyalty to others, generosity, and perseverance in the face of many difficult challenges. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Geraldine and Clemens Gesell, her father-in-law, Marion Solomon, sister and brother-in-law, Rita and Danny Maciel, sister-in-law, Cheri Carney, and brother-in-law, Richard Sinclair. She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Keith Solomon, daughter Shelby (Orlando) Solomon, brothers Clemens Gesell Jr., William (Rhonda) Gesell, Steven (Deanna) Gesell, sister Gloria Sinclair, mother-in-law Mary Solomon, sisters-in-law Mary Verrinder and Trisha (Steven) Bacoccini,  numerous nieces and nephews including Kim (Michael) Terry, Kristal Sinclair, Thomas and Courtney Gesell, Ashley (Bernard) Figeroa, Shawn (Molly) Gesell, Timmy (Ashley) Gesell, Jayson and Andrew Verrinder, Amber, Cindy, and Kristy Bacoccini, Charlesta (John) Trujillo, Caleb and Carlene Carney, Samantha Short, and many great nieces and nephews.

She will also be missed by friends who became family, including Winston, Shawnie, and Amanda Graham, the Rosauro family, Joe Graham, her church community, and work colleagues.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 11th, 2024, at 10am at Our Lady Queen of the World Church in Bay Point, CA. A reception in the Parish Hall will follow with refreshments and memories of Debbie. In lieu of giving flowers, the family asks that those who are able instead make a donation to Debbie’s favorite animal rescue organization, Animal Place.

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