Debra Cordova

Debra Jean Cordova       8/13/1955-8/31/2018
Debra was a loving and wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend whose passing came as sudden and unexpected but of natural causes. Her presence, touch, laughter, warmth, loyalty and good nature will be missed dearly by so many of the lives that she touched. The services are open to all family and friends who wish to pay their respects to Debra and her family. There are many beautiful memories of Debra had by all. After the eulogies, guests are welcome to speak of their remembrances of Debra. The services will also feature a memory box in which attendees can simply write their favorite memories of Debra to share with her husband, children and siblings.

The family is asking to please spread the word and details of the services with anyone who may not be on social media but was a friend of Debra's.  Lunch will follow services.

If you would like to send flowers, the family has asked that all floral orders go to the venue and ordered through their preferred florist:

Earth & Sky Floral Designs     (505) 552-9767
http://earthskyfloral.com/index.html
https://www.facebook.com/EarthSkyFloral/

A GoFundMe page has also been created for those who wish to contribute to funeral expenses:
https://www.gofundme.com/funeral-services-for-debra-cordova

Please join us in the celebration and remembrance of the beautiful and vibrant life lived by Debra Jean Cordova.

Services will be held at El Zocalo located at 264 S Camino del Pueblo, Bernalillo, NM 87004

Saturday, September 8, 2018 from 10:00am to 2:00pm

Our family wish to extend our deepest gratitude for your support during this difficult time.

If there are further questions about this precious event, please post them here rather than messaging individual family members.

When you talk about jazz, you talk about music that has a momentum, that builds with joy and power. Debra Cordova was the embodiment of jazz. She improvised her way through life from Germany to New Mexico, using the heat from her soul fire to fuel a life so full it overflowed. It wasn’t enough to grow some grapes, she molded them into wine. It wasn’t enough to make a meal, her cooking (especially those cookies!), was always a feast that brought diners ready to fight for a taste. She kept chickens and knew why they crossed the road…to bring her fresh eggs. Debra was energy and light and passion all swirled into one fun, boisterous, beautiful human – a rocker chick who embraced life and loved the experiences it offered her.

Wait, you might say – why are you calling a rocker chick “the embodiment of jazz?” Well, enter the love of her life, Chris Cordova. Chris, a musician and lifelong lover of jazz, was instantly drawn to Deb. Her radiance was captivating, and he couldn’t resist when he met Jazz herself. Deb was the life of the party at his gigs. She bopped through her husband’s rehearsals with his trio, in her living room. She danced her way through his life, certifying the beat. She even played drums, the djembe to be exact. Learning beat by beat…wanting to understand the drum, to be part of it. Deb’s life force was intense and left a lasting impression on everyone she touched.

Debra leaves behind countless family, friends and admirers. Her memory will be fiercely cherished by her children Maria Uttaro, Thomas Uttaro and wife Donna DeSoto, Lauren Medina and husband Armando Medina, and Natalie Uttaro; her stepchildren Elizabeth Cordova and Charles Cordova; and her siblings Ellen Baser and husband Jimmy Baser, Steve Long and wife Mediha Long, and Mike Long and wife Gail Long.

In the great words of Lao Tzu (Te Tao Ching), “The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long.” Deb was called home sooner than we would have hoped or expected, but she will shine on through the lives of her children and grandchildren.