NAPA - Debora Lee Tiffin, 52, passed away peacefully on Aug. 9, 2008, surrounded by her loving family after a long valiant fight with breast cancer.

She was born Nov. 14, 1955, in Elgin, Ill., to Martha Helen Lowenstein and Benjamin Franklin Morton. She moved from Illinois to Napa Valley as a child. Her parents separated when she was young and her mother later remarried Harvey Robertson, whom Debbie was proud to call “Dad.”

Debbie attended elementary through high school in Napa and graduated from Vintage High in 1975. She was involved in several school organizations, one of them being a “pom pom” girl. She was always the one planning the next “sock hop” or “music review.”

Debbie married her first husband, Pete Malinowski, in 1976 and they had two children: Cory and Crystal. She was a homemaker and later worked for Longs Drugstore for several years. Although the marriage ended in divorce, they always remained such great friends until his death in 2003. Debbie met and later married Michael Tiffin, the love of her life in 1989. They had an adorable son, Michael, together that same year. Debbie and her Michaels moved to Mountain Home, Idaho, in 1995. She promptly got involved with the public school district, working in the kitchen along with working as a teacher’s assistant to disabled children.

Debbie was a devoted and loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend. She will be best remembered and much missed for her infectious laugh. She had a true passion for music. She loved singing and dancing, but most of all writing. Debbie was always the life of the party, smiling and making others laugh. She was always there for her family and friends with an open heart and mind. She will be greatly missed by all the lives she has touched. Her memory and spirit will live on in each and every person she knew.

Debbie is preceded into rest by her father, Benjamin Morton; mother Marty Robertson and step-father Rob Robertson. She is survived by her wonderful husband, Mike Tiffin of Idaho; her sons, Cory Malinowski and Michael Tiffin of Napa; her daughter, Crystal Malinowski of Napa; daughter-in-law Emily Malinowski of Napa; her step-son Sean Tiffin of Lake Tahoe and step-daughter Jamie Tiffin of Redding; two beautiful granddaughters, Sarina Koroknay and Shaylee Foster of Napa; brothers Benny Morton of Australia and Curtis Morton of Hawaii; sister Tonya Lange of Montague; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She will be missed dearly by her very special friend since childhood, Deb “Smiffies” Brewster.

Debbie has asked that donations be made to Make A Wish Foundation or to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, located at 1917 Third St., Napa, CA 94558.

A memorial service will be held and announced at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of Richard Pierce Funeral Service, 1660 Silverado Trail, Napa. Family and friends are invited to send condolences online at www.rpfsc.com.