Obituary of Denise Traum DeBord

Denise Traum DeBord, 72, of St. Petersburg, FL peacefully passed away at home on January 11^th, 2020 surrounded by her loving family and friends.

She graduated high school from St. Mary’s Academy in Los Angeles, California in 1965 and from California State University, Long Beach in 1969.  After graduating, she moved from California to Brazil before making her home in St. Petersburg.

Mrs. DeBord earned degrees in Marketing and Business Administration and was a Certified Public Accountant.  She worked as a marketing consultant at Sperry-Boom of Florida and spent 23 years working for the Internal Revenue Service, retiring from the Appeals Division in 2011.

Denise loved traveling with family and friends around the world, from Cuba to Canada, and from Korea to Italy with countless places in between.  With her husband Warren, she was an avid sailor, became a certified marine diesel mechanic, and was a member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club and Dolphin Cruising Club sailing all around Florida and the Caribbean.

She was a longstanding member of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in Snell Isle.  She led the Wednesday Evening Bible Study, served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and was active in the Christ Renews His Parish and St. Vincent de Paul food pantry ministries. Denise directed the annual St. Raphael’s Pack Rat Rummage Sale for over 10 years, improving profits each year.  She was also an energetic member of the Council of Catholic Women, having served as the CCW liaison to the Knights of Columbus, President of the Parish Council, President of the Our Lady, Star of the Sea District, as well as a Diocesan Council Committee Chair.

Denise also stayed involved in the community outside of the Church.  She volunteered as a Guardian ad Litem, advocating on behalf of children at risk for abuse and neglect.  She actively supported the Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center by managing the Baby Boutique, supporting women with unplanned pregnancies and organizing the annual fundraising Gala.  Denise also volunteered for Music Sweet Music, which provides music therapy for people with severe disabilities. 

Mrs. DeBord was predeceased by her beloved husband of 33 years, Warren DeBord, and son Daniel Traum.  Denise leaves behind five children: Michael DeBord and wife, Sue of Tellico Plains, TN; Kevin DeBord and wife, Ilene previously of Clearwater, FL; Todd DeBord and wife, Patricia of Ringling, OK; Jennifer Coleman and husband, Flip of Clearwater, FL and Brady Traum and wife, Terry of Madison, AL.  She also leaves behind her sisters, Jeanne Breunig of Estero, FL and Renee Valette of Aurora, CO.

Her grandchildren include Jena Austin, Tiffany and Brandy DeBord, Kristopher DeBord, Madeline and Ellen Coleman, and Ian and Grace Traum.

There will be a vistation held on Friday, January 17th at 10am with a funeral Mass at 11am and a reception to follow at St. Raphael Catholic Church 1376 Snell Isle Blvd NE St. Petersburg, FL 33704.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center, where Denise devoted much of her time.

You may make your donation online at foundationsofLife.org (be sure to include “in honor of Denise DeBord” in the comment box).

OR you may mail your donation to:
Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center
1213 16th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33705

Make checks payable to: Catholic Charities, DOSP
In the memorandum, please write: FOL, Denise DeBord