in memoriam
Debbie Gomer Nagata
1956-2025
― A LEGACY OF CARE AND CULTIVATION
Debora “Debbie” Gomer Nagata, a gentle spirit with nurturing hands, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 7, in her home in Gettysburg, PA. She was 69 years old. Debbie’s passing leaves both a deep sorrow and an abundance of cherished memories for her family, friends, and the countless lives she touched through her compassionate professional work and community service. The vibrant bloom of her character—defined by unwavering kindness, intellectual curiosity, and grounded grace—will continue to inspire those who knew and loved her.
― roots in chambersburg
― DEDICATED NURSE AND EDUCATOR
Debbie found her professional calling in the noble field of healthcare. Nursing perfectly leveraged her inherent empathy, acute attention to detail, and desire to make a tangible difference in people's lives. Working at Santa Monica Hospital, she held various positions in the ICU, neonatal ICU, and eventually took the role of Diabetes Educator.
As a Diabetes Educator, she did more than just administer care; she empowered patients. She understood that managing chronic illness required not only medical expertise but also patient understanding, patience, and clear, compassionate instruction. Debbie was known for her ability to transform complex medical information into manageable, personalized strategies that allowed her patients to live fuller, healthier lives.
― LIFE IN CALIFORNIA
Born Debora I. Gomer on July 17, 1956, in Chambersburg, PA, Debbie was the cherished daughter of Lois and Charles Gomer. She spent her formative years growing up on the family farm, where she developed an early appreciation for the natural world, the rhythm of the seasons, and a sense of responsibility toward the land and animals.
While her childhood shaped her resilient nature, it was her relationship with her family that formed her core. She was a devoted sister and friend to her older brothers, Charlie (Anne) Gomer and David (Lynn) Gomer, forging bonds that provided lifelong support and shared humor. She deeply valued the foundation her parents provided, carrying the lessons of her father Charles and her mother Lois throughout her life.
Debbie attended school in Chambersburg, PA, graduating from Chambersburg Area Senior High School in 1974. She attended Penn State Mont Alto and Hagerstown Community College, became a Registered Nurse, and moved to Los Angeles, California.
Debbie spent four decades living in sunny Santa Monica, CA, where she raised her children, built a vast network of beloved friends, and contributed to local schools and community organizations. She was a loving and deeply supportive mother to her three children, Jonathan, Sarah, and Thomas. She guided them with wisdom and celebrated their individual paths. Her greatest joy was cultivating a home environment that was nurturing, intellectually stimulating, and full of acceptance.
Debbie’s commitment to community was evident in her volunteer roles, particularly those supporting youth and education in Santa Monica. She was an active and enthusiastic member of the PTA in Santa Monica. She regularly volunteered in the JAMS Student Store, ensuring resources were available and offering a friendly face to students passing through. She was a dedicated volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, providing crucial support and logistical aid to ensure the boys' growth, adventures, and success within the scouting program. She was also instrumental in fundraising for the Westside School of Ballet.
Debbie maintained dedication to health through daily walks—often along the Santa Monica beach—and the peaceful practice of yoga. A sharp and savvy shopper, Debbie had an uncanny talent for finding sales and the absolute best deals. Her friends fondly recall their trips to the Mart, where her keen eye and eclectic taste made every outing an adventure. She possessed a profound connection to the earth, finding joy and tranquility in gardening—both at her home, and at her cherished community garden plot.
“Her kindness, attention to detail, and expertise not only boosted my morale, but also expedited my recovery. I am so grateful for her excellent bedside manner and compassion... She is a gem, and I'm so thankful our paths crossed!”
- Debbie's Patient at UCLA Health Santa Monica
― BACK TO PENNSYLVANIA
― REMEMBERANCE
After 42 years of healing, helping, and educating patients, Debbie retired from nursing in 2021. She made the decision to return to Pennsylvania to be closer to her family, bringing her life full circle back to the scenic landscape where her journey began.
Community service was a staple of Debbie’s weekly schedule. She often joined local street cleaners in their early morning rounds, an effort she lovingly and humorously dubbed working with the "butt pickers" as they focused on ridding the sidewalks of cigarette waste. She was also a committed volunteer usher at the Majestic Theatre, connecting her love for community with her enjoyment of the arts. She was actively involved in her high school reunion planning committee, reconnecting with her community of peers.
In retirement, Debbie embraced things she loved. Her meticulous care and deep knowledge of gardening were formally recognized when she became a Master Gardener—a title that spoke volumes about her expertise and willingness to share her knowledge with others. She was thrilled to host family gatherings, out-of-town friends, and impromptu porch hangouts. Indeed, she seemed happiest when surrounded by dear friends and family.
Debbie will be remembered for her infectious laugh, her practical advice, her love of good food, and the way she reliably supported her friends and family. She was, quite simply, a deeply good person who lived her values every day.
In keeping with Debbie’s wishes, no traditional funeral service will be held. The family will hold memorial gatherings to celebrate her life in February, 2026. We encourage those who wish to honor her memory to spend time walking in nature, tending to a garden, or performing a quiet act of service, just as Debbie did throughout her life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Debbie's honor to any organization that reminds you of her spirit and passion.
― DAVID GOMER, Brother
Debbie was my sister and my friend. As there was only a two year difference in our ages, we grew up together and had many friends and experiences in common. As a result of our many experiences, we always had much for which to reminisce. We did this on most mornings during our daily “coffee talk” phone calls. Somehow we always had things to discuss and time would get away from us. Debbie will be missed and I will really miss these morning phone calls. She was quick witted and had a great sense of humor.
In our adult years, Debbie became a wonderful mother, hostess, gardener and cook. On visits to CA, she introduced me to new foods. I will cherish our trips together to include our two sibling trips in the not so distant past.
She will be missed at our future family gatherings while I remember all of the special times we were able to share; most notably, this year at our last Thanksgiving together. It was very special and held at her home in Gettysburg. Debbie will be missed!
remarks from the family
― CHARLIE GOMER, Brother
From an early age, Debbie found her place in the world through 4-H, where she developed her interest in gardening, sewing projects, including jewelry making. Through our shared interest in equine activities, Debbie continued in 4H through the Horse and Pony Club where she excelled with her hunter pony, Chatterbox, and our common equine interest.
She had a quiet confidence about her, the kind that came from understanding the value of effort and the satisfaction of creating something with care. Whether she was tending her garden, stitching a new project, making jewelry, or grooming Chatterbox before a show, she approached everything with patience and love.
A significant bond in her life was the one she shared with Grandma Stamy. Those hours spent together in the kitchen canning fruits and vegetables were more than chores—they were moments of connection, learning, and warmth. She treasured those times and referred to them frequently all throughout her adult life, and they helped shape her into the thoughtful, capable, and nurturing person she became.
That work ethic carried through her high school years. Debbie always had a part-time job and learned early the importance of saving money. Summers often took her to the shore, where she worked with the same determination and sense of responsibility that defined her in every part of life.
One summer Debbie worked at the beach and met some friends who were going to California to live. She visited them and immediately liked California. After one-year of nursing in Harrisburg, PA, she moved to Santa Monica and made Santa Monica her home for the next forty years.
Even as she built a beautiful life on the West Coast, she never forgot where she came from. She lovingly orchestrated annual trips back to Pennsylvania, making sure her children stayed deeply connected to her parent’s heritage, their extended families, and the traditions that shaped her. Those visits—filled with cousins, stories, and familiar landscapes—became a cherished thread woven into her three children’s lives.
Four years ago, she returned to Pennsylvania but this time settled in the town of Gettysburg. Moving into the community she had always carried in her heart due to her older brother’s and nephew’s residence there. She soon became an active volunteer at the Majestic Theater, offering her time and talents with her characteristic warmth. She also embraced a long-held passion by becoming a Master Gardener—nurturing plants with the same patience and care she had shown since her 4-H days. The garden became a reflection of her spirit: steady, generous, and quietly beautiful.
