Debra-Lynn Cserepes

“The Lord has promised good to me; His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.” Mom always had a way of looking towards the silver linings of life, even when others didn’t always see it. She was remarkable at noticing the goodness in a cloudy moment, and giving you a reason to smile even amidst trials. Instead she looked to God, her faith, to service, and to loving others unconditionally, living life with honor, and a Christ-like sense of humility and compassion that fed into every action and attitude. It simply was her nature even when times were lonely, or tiring, or sorrowful. “I’m a tough old bird,” she’d retort with a bit of a wry smile. Debra-Lynn Cserepes was born on July 31st, 1954 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to George and Patricia Black. The second child of five, Mom always talked about being a daddy’s girl, and the special bond she and Grandpa shared. From small jokes and moments staying up talking late together, giving smiles over the newspaper when grandma said something silly, and reflecting on stories about a particular rocking chair mom would sit in when she got in trouble, only to end up chatting with Grandpa afterwards, just to get out of doing dishes. Mom faced hardship early on in her life. At 10 years old she underwent a relatively new, and risky surgery to fix the diagnosed hole in her heart. “I was one of the lucky ones,” she said, insisting that “someone was clearly looking out for me.” Always the determined one, resilient and a fighter, mom was up and out of the hospital bed within a few days, trying to walk, and eager to go home sooner than anyone else. This same fighter spirit led her through her childhood as she helped her parents, taking on duties around the house when her dad got hurt and her mom worked outside the home. Mom worked to keep the house running smooth and built a strong bond with younger siblings that remained unshaken for the rest of her life. Mom met her sweetheart when they moved across the street and when their parents became good friends. Their relationship was one of love, laughter and mutual respect, starting off in one of the funniest ways possible. Mom liked dad first, and he pointedly ignored her. Undeterred she tried to get his attention but her attempts to get his attention went unnoticed until HE decided it was a good idea to date her. “He did it [asked me out] when I looked like a complete mess,” Mom would often roll her eyes when telling this story. “I was wearing a baggy shirt and my hair wasn’t brushed because I’d just woken up from a sleepover and here he comes waltzing into the kitchen, takes one look at me and just asks me out.” Naturally, dad confessed the reason for his hesitation in asking mom out, admitting one day that “I knew that if I dated your mother, I’d end up marrying her.” And marry her he did, though his first proposal did not go to plan, having proposed in a letter and being denied, and told it would be better to do it in person. Steve and Debra were married on March 25th 1972 and were sealed as an eternal family on July 29th 1989 in the Los Angeles LDS Temple. The best of friends, and married for the rest of their lives, and eternity, Mom and Dad were blessed with 12 children (dad originally wanted 2. Mom insisted they’d end up with 12. Guess who was right?) they faced a lot of ups and downs throughout their marriage and as parents. Mom’s conviction to being a dedicated wife and mother never waivered. She consistently worked to do the best she could to ensure her children’s happiness, safety, and the knowledge that they were loved individually. This often included special time one-on-one to go “on adventures” where you got to enjoy her company and talk together, listen to music, and bask in the knowledge that you were seen, known, and loved. There may have also been some Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups involved. Or it involved barbeques in the backyard, digging mud pits in the dirt that she willingly filled with water so you could create your own “swimming pool” or sitting through concerts or plays or school event after school event, often on her own while dad was away, and always with a smile, a word of encouragement or praise, or a shout that was louder than the radio announcer, and a reminder of how proud she was of you and the effort you gave. Mom was the glue of the family, the heart at the center of the Cserepes clan, and her example extended into the community, both around town and in our church. Mom extended a simple, yet meaningful hand of service towards others at every turn, always declaring that she was doing nothing special, yet never realizing how much of an impact she was leaving. Many fondly remember her as “one of the good ones,” for her generosity and honesty, and genuine love for others. From her efforts to help out the school football team by cooking meals, to teaching lessons for Sunday, mom was thoughtful about the people she interacted with, the tasks she worked on and the way she treated others. Mom tried to look towards seeing the needs of others and how to meet them where they work, and extend a loving hand whenever and wherever she could, never expecting anything in return, and never considering her efforts a burden or an extra step in her daily life. They were simply a part of how she lived, always understanding of those around her, always willing to listen to others, and to serve unflinchingly and unreservedly. This same service-oriented life and love extended to her family as they grew older. Mom would often show up with groceries, “just because I was thinking of you,” or hold your hand during loss, reminding you it was “okay to cry because God knows your tears,” reassuring you that she was never going to leave you. Mom listened, called, sat with you, and simply understood, never expecting or asking for anything in return. To those who knew and loved her mom was “the best of the best. A fighter to the end.” Through loneliness in losing her sweetheart too soon, to tragedies that surrounded her life in later years, mom never gave up living her convictions, never gave up loving those who loved her, and never stopped being an example of kindness and goodness, a gentle and loving wife, mother, sister, and friend, whose memory is a treasure that continues to bless. Debra–Mom–is preceded in her journey to the other side of the veil by her parents, George and Patricia Black, her brothers Greg and George, her In-Laws Julius and Jean Cserepes, her brother in-law Tom, two grandsons Tyler Cserepes and Finley Spooner, and her darling Sweetheart and Eternal companion, Steven. She is survived by her brother Jeff and sister Terri and her children Steve (Brandy) Cserepes, Joe (Annie) Cserepes, Kristin (Josh) Maddux, Annaliese (Ryan) Ferguson, Tim (Amanda) Cserepes, Elizabeth Cserepes, Kaleigh (Jonathan) Spooner, A.J. Cserepes, Daniel Cserepes, Benjamin (Jessica) Cserepes, Jacob (Donna) Cserepes, and Ashleigh (Chandler) Mowbray, as well as dozens of wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At the end Mom always wanted those she loved to remember she was okay, that Dad was there, and she was taken care of. And so we will. “Don’t worry ‘bout a thing. ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright.”

Debra-Lynn Cserepes

July 31, 1954 - June 26, 2026