Memorial service Sunday for West Seattle artist Debbie Numoto

A memorial service and reception are planned this Sunday for longtime West Seattleite Debbie Numoto, whose family shared this tribute:

Deborah Dawn Numoto passed peacefully on Saturday, August 13, 2011 from cancer, at the age of 49. She is survived by her husband Phil Numoto, father Harold Willard; mother Janice Mize; children; Jorge Muratalla (Ginny), Tami Oden (Tony), and grandson A.J.; sister Sharon Nark (Joel), nephew Conrad and niece Julia; Uncle Chuck Mize (Kathy) and Aunt Nadine Geister (Don). Jorge Muratalla, James Sansburn and family. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and her good friend Steve. Our family and her friends miss her so much. It is too early for her to join the angels.

Debbie was born in Yakima, WA and was raised in West Seattle. She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1980. She has been a manager/gift buyer at West Seattle’s Northwest Art and Frame for 26 years. Many have stopped there to enjoy special gifts to share with others.

Her passion was creativity and art, and her compositions expressed her love of nature, flowers, the ocean, and her connectedness with special friends; there were many.

Her art grew over time beginning with watercolors of flowers and included whimsical snowmen, Polaroid photography, growing to water color and pastel paintings of outdoor scenes, and most recently to torn paper mixed media subjects inspired by her favorite scenes and artists. Debbie’s art was seen at Illusions Hair Salon at Christmas, West Seattle ArtsWest shows, the Vashon Island Allied Art walk and even carried in Nordstrom’s. Her other joy was dancing – country, zydeco, and ballroom, where she met husband.
Debbie touched a diverse group of people. Her love, smile, and caring touched many and will be missed.

A service and reception will be held on Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 3:00 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in West Seattle located at 3050 California Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98116. Donations can be made to an education fund established for her existing grandchild AJ and future grandchildren. Further opportunities for remembrances will be provided at the reception. Please bring your memories of Debbie when you join us.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made at any Wells Fargo Bank branch to the Deborah Numoto Grandchildren Education Fund Acct# 3804217721

(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photos to editor@westseattleblog.com)

34 Replies to "Memorial service Sunday for West Seattle artist Debbie Numoto"

  • MB August 17, 2011 (3:12 pm)

    Thank you so much for sharing. Debbie was really a second mom to me in our neighborhood when Tami and I were little. This is a tragic and sudden loss for her family and friends…much too soon. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers, as I know they are in need of extra strength.

  • Alki Girl August 17, 2011 (3:24 pm)

    I saw this posting on her blog. What a great reminder about how precious life is. Thinking of her family during this difficult time.

    “It seems like we are always in a hurry.
    There is so much to do or get done that there is very little time left to stop and breathe.
    So I am going to promise myself to do one thing everyday that makes my spirit happy, and if I have time for more, then it’s just a bonus, because after all every moment everyday is a precious gift and that makes my spirit happy!
    I challenge you to do the same.”

  • Jana August 17, 2011 (3:25 pm)

    So sad to hear this. I will miss her beautiful smile and angelic presence at NW Art and Frame. My prayers go out to all of her family, friends and coworkers.

  • Lola August 17, 2011 (3:26 pm)

    Debbie is a West Seattle Icon and will be missed by many. I went to school with Debbie. She is a beautiful wife,mom,grandmother,daughter and artist. I am sure that many in West Seattle who did not know her personally will miss her presence at NW Art and Frame.

  • Cathi DuBose August 17, 2011 (3:28 pm)

    She was a cherished fellow buyer and collegue of mine. My heart is broken. She will always be young and lovely in my memories. I will miss her very much when on my buying excursions.
    God bless her family and all her many friends. May we all take comfort in each other.

  • Libertybell August 17, 2011 (3:45 pm)

    This came as such a shock this morning when I heard. Debbie was such a part of Junction life. Always a smiling face and always so upbeat. She will truly be missed by many. I know going to NW Art and Frame will never be the same.
    Debbie did a lot for the Junction in the past. She used one of her trademark snowman paintings to create the design for a Junction Christmas ornament, painted a painting of a Junction light pole and flower basket for an ArtsWest Poster and represented NW Art and Frame on The Junction Associations Board of Directors.
    I am happy that I got to meet Debbie and be able to call her a friend. I will miss her smile and caring personality. It is sad to see her taken so early when she was so in love with her husband Phil and cherishing every moment with her Grandson.

    Debbie really was one of a kind.

    Michael

  • LyndaB August 17, 2011 (4:25 pm)

    I didn’t know Debbie but I am acquainted with her husband at UWMC. I didn’t realize we were had this WS connection all this time. My thoughts and prayers are with Debbie and Phil and their families.

  • 35this35mph August 17, 2011 (5:37 pm)

    Oh my god. I’m so sorry to hear this. Godspeed Debbie.

  • 56bricks August 17, 2011 (6:43 pm)

    Alki Girl, I’ll take you up on that challenge. I think I’ll drop my to do stuff this afternoon and take my granddaughter to the wading pool at Lincoln Park instead. Thank you ~

  • Liz August 17, 2011 (6:46 pm)

    So sad to hear this news, our hearts go out to Debbie’s family.

  • John constantine August 17, 2011 (7:43 pm)

    A wonderful gal,spread joy in the store and everywhere-
    her enthusiasm will be sorely missed. John c.

  • K August 17, 2011 (8:13 pm)

    so sad to hear this! she was always so nice and friendly when I’d talk with her at NW Art. She will be greatly missed! Prayers & Sympathies to her friends and family.

  • Clay August 17, 2011 (8:47 pm)

    Debbie was always such a bright and energetic presence every time I walked in the door. We will miss you so! Clay S.

  • Machel Spence August 17, 2011 (9:11 pm)

    WHAT????? I had no idea, she was an incredible person…every time I went into the store she was always so sweet and sincere to India & I. WOW, I am so sorry to hear this and I wish her family the best. machel-

  • JO August 17, 2011 (9:57 pm)

    My thoughts go out to Debbie’s Family and Friends. Debbie was always such a friendly face at the store and I will miss seeing her! Be extra kind to yourselves and each other.

  • Dow Constantine August 17, 2011 (10:45 pm)

    So shocked, and so sorry to hear of the passing of our dear classmate. A sweet, kind person who will be missed by an entire community.

  • Rt August 17, 2011 (10:54 pm)

    Debbie, i had the pleasure of meeting you this past year. I loved our conversation. Love to you and your family. Thank you for sharing your warm heart.

  • The Velvet Bulldog August 17, 2011 (11:03 pm)

    I didn’t know Debbie personally, but certainly knew her as one of the wonderful staff members at NW Art & Frame. This is a great loss for the West Seattle community–my sincerest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. Her beautiful smile and helpful ways will be missed by us all.

  • Ocean View August 18, 2011 (12:49 am)

    Debbie was a dear member of the Ocean View neighborhood. She and Phil would take walks, petting all the dogs along the way. Phil, your neighbors care so much about how you are feeling. We extend heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

  • Jon Chavez August 18, 2011 (1:02 am)

    I’m incredibly sad. She took my dance class many times at AllStar Fitness in West Seattle. She truly was the kindest person. Such an incredibly warm personality with a great spirit and heart of gold. My memories of her were enthusiasm, kindness and love of life. She would bring her husband with her to take class and I was just blown away by her energy and spirit. She will be missed. I’m glad a friend posted this information. She truly was a blessing to anyone who met her. Sad news.

  • Glenda August 18, 2011 (10:40 am)

    Phil, your coworkers here at UW care about you very much. Debbie was an incredible hostess, so warm and welcoming. I wish you’d had more time with her. What a gift the past five years have been for you both. You and the family are in my prayers.

  • Nora August 18, 2011 (12:02 pm)

    I am so shocked and saddened by this news. My daughter an I were regulars at Northwest Art and Frame (a.k.a. The Bunny Store). Debbie was always so kind and genuine to my daughter. She always had such a positive energy. So sad for her family.

  • Lisa Hegle (Boettger) August 18, 2011 (2:47 pm)

    Debbie had a laugh that lit up a room and a smile that reached her eyes (and everyone’s heart)
    My high school best buddy and dear friend.
    I have so many wonderful memories of our time spent together. You will be missed my many and were cherished by all.
    My heart goes out to her family and friends.

  • Chris August 18, 2011 (3:47 pm)

    I am saddened by the news of Debbie’s death. I can’t tell you what a wonderful surprise it was the first time I received a whimsical snowman picture for Christimas from my husband Tom. I had the honor of receiving a picture a year for the last 9 years. We love them so much we keep them up all year. Debbie told me she loved driving by our home because she could see the snowmen pictures in the window. Thank you Debbie for all of those happy exciting moments when I got to open my new picture. We will miss you.

  • Lizkelly McGinn August 18, 2011 (7:16 pm)

    Debbie was my watercolor teacher… we just started this Spring as we both finally had some time to get together… I am so grateful for the classes we had together on Mondays. She was such a good teacher, I loved the loose style of her paintings and her bubbly personality. Plus she was so diplomatic when correcting me: like when I was trying to paint clouds and it came out looking like a canoe… it was pretty funny. She also taught me how to fix clouds that come out looking like canoes… I will miss you Debbie and I will keep on painting. I am so sorry for Debbie’s family and Phil for their loss.

  • Linda H. August 18, 2011 (7:31 pm)

    I knew Debbie through Zydeco dancing, such a lovely woman with an ever present smile. My heart goes out to her husband,Phil. May she dance forever in the sky.

  • En-May August 19, 2011 (5:22 pm)

    We enjoyed a gluten-free blueberry muffin and tea on her sunny backyard patio just a few weeks ago, where our conversation was full of laughter and tears. She gave me instructions to take care of her summer ribbon collection. (I’m one of NWAF’s vendors too).

    I’ve “spoken” to Debbie many times since then, even in her Spirit Life; where her smile still beams through the cloudiest skies; where her giggle emits more wattage than all the Christmas lights plugged in at NW Art and Frame during the holidays!

    To Phil and Debbie’s cherished family, whom she spoke often of with love and passion, I share your sorrow and grief, and hope that you find comfort in the magnificence of her legacy; found in the eyes of her children, AJ, her artistic creations, and in the whispers she has left on our hearts.

    En-May

  • Karrie August 19, 2011 (7:43 pm)

    Was just scrolling through news on WSBlog and came across this post, to my surprise. A few months ago I was in NW Art and Frame store and had an incredible conversation with this lovely woman, Debbie.

    It was the first time I met her. We exchanged information and I kept thinking I would call her soon to meet up for tea. I wanted to revisit the conversation we had as it was so inspiring.

    I had no idea she had cancer. I am sad that I will never have more conversations with Debbie and I will take this as a reminder not to wait next time to have tea with someone who I really want to get to know.

    You will be missed, Debbie. Loving thoughts go out to family and friends. It’s so hard to see someone so kind and thoughtful leave this place. Will keep you all in my prayers.

  • Payaso August 20, 2011 (1:27 pm)

    I consider myself very lucky to have known Debbie. She was a very loving, caring person. It saddens me to hear the news but at the same time I know I will always keep her in my heart. As always I will proudly display the personalized snowman that she gave me one Christmas. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

  • NativeNancy August 21, 2011 (8:41 am)

    Like others I was just looking at the blog when I came across this shocking news:(
    What a wonderful person we have lost here. My girls grew up going to NWAF as if it were the Frederick & Nelson of the Junction. Debbie was the one who made us feel at home, discretely let my girls use the bathroom, always made sure we found anything we might be looking for and was just such a peaceful, pleasant presence. With my girls grown and gone, I have always looked for Debbie every time I enter the store just to get grounded in her presence during my visit. I am very sad and my thoughts and love go out to all who knew her and loved her.

  • Scott D August 21, 2011 (10:39 am)

    I knew Debbie and Phil from Zydeco. I loved her quiet gentle centered energy. She and Phil were great buddies and made for each other. What wonderful legacies she has created and live on in all of us and her family / friends.

  • Ed O. August 23, 2011 (11:16 pm)

    I’m a friend and professional acquaintance of Phil’s from his San Francisco Bay Area years. I was thrilled to hear that after all that time Phil had met his partner and the love of his life, Debbie, and was delighted to finally get to meet her in May of this year. She was a warm, happy, and entertaining individual; someone who had me chatting like old friends within five minutes of meeting for the first time. I could easily see how two such different people could make an amazing couple and am shocked and devastated to hear of her passing. My thoughts and prayers are with Phil and Debbie’s family, and hope they can take some solace in that every sunrise and sunset from this point onwards will have Debbie’s touch on it.

  • Brenda August 25, 2011 (3:12 pm)

    I am so sad to hear the news of Debbie passing. She was such a great person. My thoughts are with her family and friends.

  • ellenater August 29, 2011 (12:55 am)

    Jeez this is so sad. We really appreciated Debbie in the store. She had one of those really laid back and kind personalities that put you right at ease. I will really miss her smiling face and caring attitude. We need more like her. All the best to those who loved her.

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