Debra Susan Hershey Obituary

Debra Susan “Debbe” Hershey, 74, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025. Known to all who loved her for her contagious smile, boundless creativity, and deep compassion, Debbe’s warmth and resiliency left an indelible impression on countless lives.

Debbe was born on April 30, 1951, in Santa Monica, California, to Richard Noel Hershey and Jane Evelyn Bills Hershey. The family later relocated to Nashville, where Debbe attended Hillsboro High School and graduated with the class of 1969.

Early on, Debbe’s artistic talents became apparent and flourished. Nurturing her creative spark, she attended the Harris School of Art, earning a Certification in Advertising Art. Debbe’s professional journey began at Chicago Printing Services, where for two decades she poured her creativity into designing and creating greeting cards that brought beauty, sentiment, and joy to others.

In a remarkable demonstration of perseverance and ambition, Debbe later attended Tennessee State University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2005. She embarked on a rewarding second career with St. Thomas Ascension Healthcare, later retiring from St. Thomas Rutherford in 2017. Touching the lives of patients and colleagues alike, she is remembered for her compassion, dedication, and heartfelt work with those recovering their independence.

Debbe’s life was further shaped by her deep involvement in the community and personal resilience. At age 41, she became the 28th liver transplant recipient at Vanderbilt University Hospital—an experience that gave her a profound appreciation for life. This gratitude fueled her service to others; a devoted member of the Alcoholics Anonymous community, Debbe found strength and camaraderie at 202 Friendship House. Earlier this year, she proudly received her 40-year sobriety chip, a testament to her unwavering determination and spirit serving as a guiding light and inspiration for so many.

Her compassion extended beyond her professional and recovery work. Debbe gave of herself at both
Church of Grace and St. John’s United Methodist Church in West Nashville, where she found community and spiritual nourishment. In her later years, she flourished at Morningside of Belmont Assisted Living and most recently at The Villages of Bellevue, where her beaming smile and gentle presence forged lasting friendships.

Debbe truly embraced life and found beauty in everyday moments and abundant passions. She loved painting, drawing, and creating with yarn, finding contentment and inspiration in every medium she explored. Her affection for her cats—indeed, all things feline—was well known to friends and family. She found delight in gardening, cultivating beauty inside and out, found joy and friendship in dancing to her favorite music, and cherished travel and vacationing on cruise ships where her cheerful spirit and love for adventure were evident to everyone she met.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Jane Hershey, her sister Donna Hershey, brother-in-law Bill Chism, and her nephew Michael Geary. Debbe will be deeply missed by her sisters Cindy Hershey Chism, Linda Hershey, her brother Richard (with wife Gretchen) Hershey, and her nephew Yuri (with wife Emily and children) Snellbaker as well as her extended family, friends, former colleagues, and fellow AA members.

All are invited to attend the Celebration of Life for Debbe to be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at The Villages of Bellevue, 8118 B Sawyer Brown Rd., Nashville, 37221. Inturment will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, Tennessee, 37204; date and time yet to be determined.

Debra Susan Hershey lived her life as a testament to hope, resilience, and creativity. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, wisdom, and beauty, etched deeply into the hearts of all who had the privilege of loving and knowing her.