Deborah M. Nejman

“I always knew looking back on my tears would bring me laughter, but I never knew looking back on my laughter would make me cry.” – Cat Stevens

Deborah Mary Nejman, 68, of Frenchtown, NJ died surrounded by her family on Sunday February 25th, 2024 at Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington NJ. After a long-fought battle with breast cancer, her body succumbed to the illness.

Debbie is preceded in death by her recently deceased sister, Kathleen Thomas and her parents Walter and Marie Thomas. She is survived by two sisters, Maryann Daw and Annmary Thomas, her loving husband Gerard, her two children, Kate and Sean Nejman, daughter-in-law Jennifer Nejman and her beloved granddaughter Charlotte.

Debbie was born October 31, 1955 in Newark NJ. Whether it was due to the Halloween season or simply growing up in North Jersey, she was imbued with a tenacity of spirit and toughness that carried through her entire life.

She attended Allentown College where a snowball fight introduced her to her future husband of 44 years Gerard Nejman. She then graduated with a master’s degree in Chemistry.

She began her career as a research chemist in the labs of C.R. Bard and David Michael & co. She later boasted that the reason the “dm” in David Michael & co was lowercase was because she had signed all her lab reports “dn” in lowercase. She would remark, “that is clearly where they got the idea.”

She transitioned her career path to dedicate more time to her family in the 1980s and worked her way up to the position of Director of Family Services for the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA. Beyond her Administrative duties, she primarily oversaw the child care and preschool programs at the Northeast Family YMCA in Philadelphia. Her passion for early childhood education touched the lives of countless families. Debbie worked at the YMCA for nearly 40 years and her dedication to her work left an indelible imprint on the young minds she influenced, the organization she helped to grow and above all else, the colleagues that she called friends.

Although Debbie loved her work, her true passion in life was her family. Devoted wife, mom and grandma, there was nothing Debbie loved more than spending time with those she held most dear. Family vacations were a particular source of joy and a tradition that gave countless recollections to 4 generations. Adventures in cross country road trips, National Parks and odd roadside attractions fueled a sense of happiness in Debbie that was unmatched. She often said that she worked “just to go on vacation” but in reality, she worked tirelessly to be able to give her family shared adventures and priceless time together creating core memories.

When not traveling, Debbie had a fervent love for holidays and family parties. From Halloween, to Christmas Eve or just a regular birthday, she was always ready and eager to decorate her entire house for a special occasion and throw a party to bring everyone together. It is that sense of togetherness that is her true legacy. She loved deeply and cared beyond measure, but never wanted to show too much emotion outwardly. Nevertheless, those who knew her best, knew that under the tough and sarcastic exterior was a heart that was unmatched.

Her passing leaves a void that can never be filled in the lives of those fortunate enough to call Debbie a friend, a sister, an aunt, a wife, Mom or Grammy. However, the love she shared in her time with us will forever change all she met and there is comfort knowing that Debbie’s love lives on in the family and friends she leaves behind.

“The ones who love us never really leave us, you can always find them in here.” -J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

A Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Monsignor David Fulton, will be held on Monday, March 11th, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Victories Parish, 1005 Route 519, Frenchtown, NJ. There are no calling hours.

The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to Dance for the Cure, 5 Davids Lane, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 or online at: https://www.danceforthecure.org/support-us .

Cremation services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit Debbie’s Tribute Wall at www.holcombefisher.com.