Obituary of Debra "Debbie" Romans

Debra Lea Romans, 79, passed away on December 25, 2024, in Denver, Colorado. Her commitment to family, love of exploration, and dedication to her faith were defining aspects of her character that will be remembered by all who knew her.

Born in Denver in 1945, Debbie was adopted by Faye and Michael Cohen, who raised her as their only child. She attended George Washington high school and graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1967 with a degree in political science. Following her graduation, she embarked on a new chapter in California, where she worked as a civil servant for the United States Navy.

It was during that time in San Francisco and Oakland that she met her future husband, Larry Romans. Larry was serving in the Navy and was a fellow Denver native and University of Colorado alumnus. The couple married in 1969 at Temple Micah in Denver and soon returned to their hometown, where they built a life together and raised their two children, Brent and Lisa. 

Family was central to Debbie’s life, and her relationships were deep and enduring. She shared a particularly close bond with her father and her cousin Donny Bobb, whom she considered a brother. But she was also curious about her origins. In the late 1970s, she successfully connected with her birth family, discovering and forming cherished relationships with her siblings, Rosalie and Jack, and their children. This reunion brought new joy and expanded her already loving family circle. 

Debbie also had a passion for travel. Larry did not share that same passion initially but she liked to say that she dragged him along on enough trips that he eventually saw the error of his ways. From European cities to family trips across the U.S., their travels were a testament to Debbie’s adventurous spirit. One particularly meaningful journey was a trip to Israel (her first time) with Brent and Lisa, organized by Temple Sinai in Denver. Throughout her life, Debbie maintained a strong connection to her Jewish faith. 

After Larry's passing in 2004, she continued her adventures with her dear friends Dotty Bracken and Jackie Bolshoun, visiting many other countries around the globe. 

Professionally, Debbie worked as a tax preparer when her children were young. Later on, she worked as an insurance underwriter for Great West Life. Away from work and travel, her interests included reading (she kept a list of every book she read, and rated them); politics (John F. Kennedy was her favorite president); and Star Trek (at one point she decked out the guest bathroom in her house with Star Trek memorabilia). 

Debbie is survived by her children, Brent and Lisa, and their families, including her beloved grandchildren Ashley, Alexandria, and Nicolas. 

A graveside service will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery on Sunday, December 29, 2024, starting at 10am.

Live stream services will be available on the Feldman Mortuary YouTube Channel.

Shiva Visitation will be held at the home of the Bolshoun family on Sunday, 12/29 from 1PM - 6PM at 4054 S. Poplar Way, Denver, CO 80237.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation, honoring Debbie’s compassion and her commitment to causes that mattered most to her.