Debra Ann Ellison

April 21, 1959 - September 19, 2016

Debra Ann Ellison, 57, of Charlotte, died at her home on Monday, September 19, 2016. Debbie was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 21, 1959, the daughter of Hugh and Bernadette Koch Van Camp. Her family moved to Pittsburgh, PA, when she was young and she grew up there. Upon graduation from high school, she attended the University of Pittsburgh where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Social Work in 1981. It was in high school where she met George Ellison, whom she married in 1980 in Lower Burrell, PA. She went on to have four beautiful children. Debbie was a force of nature devoted to her children and to the community spirit of every town she lived in. She insisted that we all relive the 1950’s and the America of the simpler, more innocent time. She had a talent to truly make every event, every party and every holiday special not just for her family, but for everyone she knew. No event was complete unless it was completely overdone. While Debbie fell in love with George Ellison, he was but a sideshow to her children. She obsessed about them day and night. She pushed them to be excellent in school, music and sports. No discussion about Debbie is complete without sports, especially football. Through the years, her Steelers turned into her Giants who then turned into her Panthers. She spent her last day on this earth at the Panther home game this past Sunday. (We will not, however, discuss her post game comments or issues with Cam's play.) In addition to her children, Debbie had five pets over her adult life. We will not walk through each pet but an honorable mention goes to the true love of her life, Bodie. A picture of Debbie and Bodie hangs on the wall in the Ellison home next to Debbie and George’s wedding photo. It is not hard to see in which picture Debbie is happier. Debbie is survived by her husband, George; three children: Sadie, Garrett and Hugh Ellison, all of New York City; and three siblings: Jack, Sandy and her twin brother Richard Van Camp. She is further survived by numerous other relatives and friends. Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Terry, and her son, Cuyler, in 2008. A Mass of Christian Burial honoring the life, love and blessing of Debbie will be held at 11 am on Friday, September 23, 2016, at St Matthew Catholic Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service. Following the Mass, Debbie will be taken in formal procession to her final place of earthly rest near her son Cuyler at Magnolia Memorial Gardens located on the campus of Calvary Church, 5801 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made Holy Angels of Belmont, NC. Website : holyangelsnc.org Phone : 704-825-4161 Debbie’s family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for them. Please visit her online memorial at www.LoweNeddoFuneralHome.com to share memories, photos and condolences or call 704-545-3553 for additional details.