Debra Ann (Maples) Banducci
August 25,1952 ~ March 29, 2018
Debie was born in Bakersfield California, on August 25, 1952, to Quention and Roberta Maples. She was an ancestor of Christin Bohna, first settler in what was then called Kern Island but now Bakersfield. Debie attended local schools and truly loved her high school years as a West High Viking where she was involved in many school activities. She married her high school sweetheart, best friend, and sterling person, Jake Banducci, in 1974, and in 1979 was blessed to become the mother of Jacob, a truly good and kind human being.
At the age of 19 Debie started working at BHS as an instructional assistant. In 2009 , after 32 years of dedicated service, she finished her career with the Kern High School District as the Social Studies Resource Teacher in the Program Improvement Department. She was a member of Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Theta Eta Chapter; Phi Alpha Theta, a national History Honor Society and many other organizations.
Debie loved laughing experiencing new adventures, visiting with family and friends, enjoying nature, traveling, reading, meeting new friends (she never met a stranger), and learning new things, especially from her students. She also cherished spending time at her beloved family cabin in Panorama Heights and at the "home on wheels" located on the beautiful Central Coast. She believed that there was nothing new in the universe and that every living thing would be recycled again.
Debie was blessed with so many good friends throughout her lifetime: grammar school, and West High friends, work friends, sorority sisters, line dancing friends, family friends, and Panorama Heights friends just to name a few. She loved and cherished them all, and they all loved and cherished her because of her kind caring, and beautiful heart. She was always comforting those who were trying to comfort her.
She is preceded in this life's adventure by her father, nephew, great niece, sister-in-law, numerous other relatives, and her dear friends and partners in crime, Julie and "O", Debie is survived by her beloved husband and best friend, Jake; wonderful son, Jacob; beautiful mother, Roberta; precious sisters and brother, Sandra (David) Champion, Terry, Quentin, and their families ; dear friend Jane Hurttgam; and too many other family members and friends to mention here.
In Debie's words: I would like to give a huge hug and thank you to all of the wonderful people who blessed my life: my wonderful husband, son, and family; my many friends and co-workers; my former students; and my health care providers, especially those at CBCC. I have learned so much from all of you. It was such fun loving you, and please, "Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened ! (Dr. Seuss). Take good care of yourselves and this beautiful and fragile planet. I love you all !
A celebration of life will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, 4500 Buena Vista Rd., Friday, April 13, at 10:00 a.m. to light the way to Debie's next adventure..... God Speed
Source: The Bakersfield Californian Newspaper
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Mark Parker
The all-american girl with the colgate toothpaste commercial smile. I knew Debbie since Munsey School. A group of us walked daily through the walkway over the canal from Munsey to Stine Road. From there we walked north past Woodale Market headed home.
It was particularly sobering reading her obituary as we are one day apart. Life is a gift and often the good die first too often. RIP Debbie, you set a high bar.
Pamela Whitten (Boone)
There are no words to express my sorrow for the loss of Debbie. She was such a beautiful person inside and out. Have many fond memories of her from both Jr. High and West High. May she be free of her worldly pain and be flying high in the clouds and rainbows above. Take care Jake and Jacob. Pam (Whitten) Checchi-Boone
Randy Conilogue
So saddened by the news. What a great person, I will miss you.
Patricia Herbert (Walker)
I have not seen Debbie since
high school though apparently
we both stayed in town. I
remember how kind she was
to someone who was a trifle
Shy.