Debbie Ott-Romeo

Deborah Sue Ott-Romeo, age 71 years of Buchanan, Michigan; mother, grandmother, sister, family photographer, caregiver, and party host died peacefully Saturday morning, November 4, 2023 with her family gathered around her bed at home following a very brief illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice.

She was born on November 24, 1951 in Watervliet, Michigan to Kelly Andrew and Johnny Louella (Scroggs) Knight, and was graduated from Dowagiac (Michigan) High School with the class of 1970.  She worked for many years in Customer Service for area firms, but found her true calling in child daycare, loving the daycare kids.

Debbie enjoyed traveling, usually with her friend, Violet, visiting Arizona, Florida, and Jamica.  At home, she enjoyed entertaining, and always hosted the best Halloween parties.  She was an avid photographer, taking most of the family photographs, and had figured-out how to operate her cellular camera inconspicuously – often down at her side – for the most candid and unexpected photos.  Many of these images were printed, framed, and displayed in her home.  Her family was her greatest joy.

She was first married to Kenneth Ott.  Later, on June 15, 1996 she married Terry Lee Romeo at their home in Buchanan, with whom she celebrated the twenty-second anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on December 6, 2018.  She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Surviving family includes her children, Michelle Fisher of Buchanan, Raymond (& Mary Sanders) Ott of Buchanan, and Jeremy Ott of Berrien Springs, Michigan; grandchildren, Brittany Robbins, Hannah Fisher, and Nora Fisher; great-grandsons, Bryce, Michael, and Chase; Debbie’s brother, Terry Lee Knight of Arizona, and sister, Christine Knight, and several nieces and nephews.

The family of Debbie Ott-Romeo will host a Celebration of Life at a later date.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Debbie clearly enjoyed life, caring for customers, caring for her daycare kids, and caring for family and friends with great parties at home, fun photographs, and a lot of love.