Debra Kelleher Gardner

ARROYO GRANDE, CA – Debra Ann (Kelleher) Gardner, 68, a vibrant, caring, fun loving woman passed away peacefully on October 11th, 2026. Debra was born on December 14, 1957, in Montague, MA, the middle child of 3. She was the daughter of Lawrence John, Jr., and Mary Julia (Mucha) Kelleher. She was raised in Greenfield, Massachusetts.

She is remembered lovingly by her children, Christopher and Katherine, and her spouse and partner, Jeffrey. Her children who were her pride and joy in her life. She was a devoted mother and viewed motherhood as her crowning achievement. She fought a 15-year valiant battle of breast cancer with grit, dignity, grace and determination. During her journey, she maintained a sweet demeanor that won over anyone in her presence. She was a woman of substance, tenacity, courage, wisdom and faith. Her faith throughout this journey inspired her to advocate, encourage and lead the way for other women to proceed with surgical breast reconstruction and clinical trials at comprehensive tertiary medical centers. Debra participated in several cancer clinical trials, under the direction of Dr. Brian DiCarlo, oncology investigator of UCLA Health San Luis Obispo. She continued to fight the good fight alongside her UCLA Health Team. Dr. DiCarlo guided her medical decisions during their lengthy cancer relationship. Her family is appreciative of his exemplary medical expertise, friendship and compassionate support. She will be remembered at the UCLA center for her generous and positive spirit throughout the good fight to all who walked through those doors.

A third-generation educator, she received her B.S. degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. During her college years, in the summer she worked at Wilson’s Department Store. Upon graduation, she became a teacher at White Brook Middle School in Easthampton, MA. In the mid-80’s she and her husband Jeffrey moved to the Central Coast of California. After settling into the community of Arroyo Grande, she became active with the American Association of University Women, Five Cities Pismo Beach Branch. During her 25 years as a member and leader, she diversified herself in various sub-sections as chairwoman and other leadership positions. She was President for the organization for two terms. She worked diligently with the branch members to raise funds to provide Educational Foundation (EF) opportunities, equity for women and girls through research, grants, and Tech Trek summer camp for middle-school students. The branch designated her as a Named Gift Honoree, a very special honor in AAUW. While her children were in elementary school she was active on the PTO board, holding officer positions. Prior to retiring in 2019, she worked for the County of San Luis Obispo, Department of Social Services.

Debra had a creative streak for entertaining, guests will look back at her attention to detail in her home and her gourmet cuisine. She loved having dinner parties with friends. Her home was always open, no invitation was needed. She had a special connection with people and enjoyed people coming to her home.

She was raised in New England and was proud of her Polish and Irish heritage. In 1906, her maternal grandparents, Jacob and Anna Mucha, immigrated to the United States from Poland landing on Ellis Island, working in the cotton factories in MA. In 1925, her Irish paternal grandfather, Lawrence J. Kelleher, Sr., conceived the idea of starting a road construction Co., forming Kelleher Corporation. Many of the highways in MA, VT and NY are better today due to

the skills of the 4 brothers of the Corporation.

Each holiday, she has fond memories and traditions with her Kelleher family, singing Christmas carols accompanied by her Aunt Helen at the piano. Easter was well attended by all the Mucha family, at her Babic’s (grandmother Anna) home, serving Polish foods, kielbasa and Catholic traditions. As a young girl she had joyous times along the sandy shores of the Cape, Nantucket,

Maine rocky coast, and Rhode Island. She was fond of the sea, badminton, and swimming. Winters were full of sledding tobogganing and ice skating. Her Uncle Michael gifted all his

nephews and nieces with US Postal Commemorative stamps to begin a stamp collection. The stamps are dear to her heart and tucked away. Being a New Englander, she was raised being an

avid fan of the Boston professional sports teams, especially the Red Sox.

Her proudest moments were when her children received their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In her eyes, life-long learning was noteworthy and consequential to her and earlier generations. Her

daughter, Katherine, followed her footsteps into education, being the 4th generation to enter the classroom. Her belief as an educator was empowering individuals to cultivate a curiosity to continue learning throughout life. She was raised that lifelong learning is the key to success and the future for youth. She believed consistently high academic performance among students in her class demonstrates the positive impact of her teaching on their learning outcomes and success. Compassion was obvious with outcomes to reach for continued success.

Throughout her high school years, she had the opportunity to travel to Spain with her Spanish Class. Years later, she traveled to Washington, DC, Key West, the Caribbean Islands, Maui, and Mexico. In the last several years she enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, with her yellow labrador Sadie by her side, as well as her daughter Katherine’s lab, Poppy. Each day she enjoyed being a colorist for relaxation. She learned how to use color skillfully in grayscale coloring books.

Debra was a shining light and positive to others facing health care issues in the cancer world. Besides assisting in the cancer world she advocated for the underserved population. As a young girl her father took her to visit the unwell in skilled facilities which she carried out during her lifetime. Even today during the electronic era, she was known for continuing to send cheerful handwritten messages of hope and greeting cards during the holidays. As a young girl she eagerly waited for the postal carrier to fill the mailbox hoping to receive a greeting card for her. The cards brought her great joy.

An abundance of heartfelt recognition to the extraordinary oncology compassionate medical nursing team and caring administrative staff, at UCLA Health, San Luis Obispo. Debra developed strong bonds and a sense of camaraderie that might resemble a family dynamic throughout her medical treatment.

Debra is remembered by her loving children, a son, Christopher Michael, of Arroyo Grande, a daughter, Katherine Elyse of Arroyo Grande, a spouse and partner Jeffrey, as well as her beloved sister, Laura and Daniel Bourdeau of Mount Dora, FL a niece Amy Beth Bourdeau, preceded in death, brother Michael and Tenley Kelleher of Ave Maria, FL, nephew Riley and Brandy Kelleher, great nephew Kashton Michael, great niece Lacey Mae of New Hampshire, Liam and Ally Kelleher, great nephew Hunter and great niece Reegan of Rhode Island, Lawrence and Mary Kelleher, father and mother, preceded in death. Jane and Ed Gardner, mother-in law and father-in-law, preceded in death Greenfield, MA, a sister-in law Nancy Gardner, preceded in death, Brad Hosmer, brother-in law, nephew Adam and Kari Hosmer of Northfield, Massachusetts, great niece Elizabeth and niece Shannon and Kevin Rowell and great niece Peyton of Cape Coral, Florida.

Neptune Society has been entrusted with the arrangements. Guest book and condolences messages at www.NeptuneSociety.com.

Rites of committal will be at the convenience of the family.

Expressions of affection in memorial contributions in Debra’s memory are suggested in lieu of flowers to:

UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at uclahealth.org

Simma/Mann - UCLA Center for Intergrative Oncology