Deborah Gayle Rothaus Greig was born in Raton, New Mexico on December 25, 1949, to the former Johnnie Mae Bandy and Dino Mutton. Debbie died peacefully on April 13, 2016, in Los Angeles, California, surrounded by loved ones.
After a brief childhood in Raton, Debbie lived briefly in Colorado and Virginia before moving to Santa Monica, California in 1957. She attended Grant Elementary, John Adams Junior High and Santa Monica High School, excelling in all aspects of student life, always the most popular, kindest and most caring classmate. After a quarter at the University of California, Irvine, Debbie found her true home as a Bruin at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she was a leader in her sorority (PI Beta Phi) and a cheerleader during the John Wooden era at UCLA.
After graduating from UCLA, Debbie began a 15-year career at the University of Southern California, where she was a magnificent fundraiser and leader, managing events attended by hundreds and working with volunteers. One of those volunteers turned out to be her future life partner, Tom Hebert. In 1976, Debbie and Tom began a 40-year friendship, courtship (starting in 1986) and domestic partnership (starting in 1997).
In 1999, Debbie and Tom started Gayle/Thomas & Associates, a search consulting firm specializing in finding fundraisers for non-profits, now in its 17th year. Debbie was the consumate employment consultant because people wanted to tell Debbie their story, and she was so good at translating their story to potential employers. Over 100 fundraising professionals throughout the country have Debbie to thank for finding the right fit for their next adventure.
Debbie was a very active walker, skier, hiker and roller skater. She enjoyed the beauty of her native New Mexico, and of Palisades Park in Santa Monica, Big Sur and Hawaii. She was a very passionate animal lover, and the pride of her life were her four Bichon Frizzes, Ada Mae, Louise Maree, Daisy Mae and Dominick. Even in her last years, with increasingly more severe health issues, Debbie insisted on long walks with Daisy and Dominick at UCLA, where she was able to relive memories of her time there.
Debbie is survived by her life partner Tom, Daisy Mae and Dominick, her uncle Darrell Bandy in Albuquerque, New Mexico, her aunt Helen Estes in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and 17 cousins.
A memorial service was held for Debbie on May 15, 2016 at UCLA for her California loved ones, and another service is planned for May 29, 2016, at the Fairmont Cemetery in Raton, New Mexico. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that you consider making a donation to your favorite charity on Debbie’s behalf.
