Deborah L. Noward

Freed from her physical body on March 6, 2018, the spirit of Deborah L. Noward can now truly soar. In her active lifetime, Debbie enjoyed birding, camping, cooking, knitting, reading, scouring flea markets, visiting Pigeon Forge, TN, everything Disney and many other pursuits. In her 30-plus years at the Toledo Zoo, Debbie was gift shop buyer, gift shop manager and merchandise manager; however, her favorite job was working with the young people she employed every summer season – hundreds of kids over the years. Debbie was born Nov. 11, 1956, in Toledo, Ohio, to Albert and Carolyn (Duffey) Williams (both deceased). She attended Libbey High School and the University of Toledo, and July 28, 1979 married John Noward of Maumee, who cherishes the nearly 40 years of memories they made together. Debbie also is survived by brothers Alan Williams and Dale (Dawn) Williams, numerous relatives, her treasured nieces and nephews, many friends and rascally rabbit Enzo Bunnerini. Family and friends are invited to a memorial gathering at Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant St. in Maumee, on Sunday, March 11, from 2-5 p.m., with services beginning at 5 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Black Swamp Bird Observatory (www.bsbo.org) or the Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary (www.rabbitsanctuary.org).