Deborah Jane Branco

Deborah Jane Branco

Deborah Jane "Debbie" Branco (nee Green) passed away peacefully on March 28, 2024, in Conway, South Carolina, at the age of 81. She was born on June 22, 1942, in Chattanooga, Tennessee and grew up in East Orange, NJ with her mother, father and two younger brothers.  She graduated from East Orange High School and lived in Newark and Holmdel before moving to Union, NJ in 1968.  Debbie was a longtime resident of Union for 49 years before moving to Westfield, NJ when she retired in 2017.  She spent the last few years of her life in South Carolina to be near her eldest daughter, Jill.  Debbie was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend.

Debbie was a lifelong educator and taught grades Pre-K through high school. She graduated from William Paterson University in 1965 with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, and dedicated her career to serving as a longtime substitute teacher for Irvington, Elizabeth and Newark Public Schools. Her passion for education and love for children left a lasting impact on all those she taught and cared for.

Outside of her career, Debbie found joy in spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She delighted in spoiling them with attention and proudly boasted to everyone she talked to about their accomplishments. Debbie was very friendly, and loved to talk to everyone, sharing stories about herself and her family, and frequently calling to check in with her family and friends.  She was always smiling and loved to make people laugh. Debbie enjoyed staying active by swimming in the ocean and at the Cranford Pool, going for walks, and playing tennis.  When her children were young, she found pleasure in traveling and learning about the history of different places they would visit.  She enjoyed watching crime drama TV shows, cheering on her grandson Charlie at his soccer games, and indulging in her love for music by dancing, singing, and playing the piano.

Debbie will be deeply missed by her surviving family members.  Her three children, William (Dorothy) Feingold, Jill (Ralph) Formato, and Laura (Dennis) Pellicano.  Her brothers Lewis Green and Elliot Green, as well as her extended family and friends. Debbie leaves behind six grandchildren, Kenneth, Daniel, Michael, Charlie, Liam, and Adria, and one great-grandson, Riggs. She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Sadie Green.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5 pm to 7 pm at Gray Memorial Funeral Home 12 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, NJ.  A graveside service will be at 11 am at Fairview Cemetery, 1100 East Broad Street in Westfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, one of Debbie's favorite charities.

Debbie will be remembered for her funny and loving nature, her kindness, and generosity towards others. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth and care that will be cherished by all who knew her.