Debra Sue Howard-Brown "Debbie", 47, passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018. Debbie is now at peace after her 5-year battle with cervical cancer. She was born in Somerville, NJ, and lived and worked in the area most of her life. She attended St. Mary's in Bound Brook K-8, Immaculata High School and studied art at RVCC.

Debbie was predeceased by her daughter, Maxine Anne Runiak (1994-1999), maternal grandparents Edward & Theresa Sonntag-McCormack and paternal grandparents Oliver & Flora Weber-Howard.

She leaves the love of her life, her best friend, her constant companion, fiancé David Edward Hansen of Hillsborough. His strength and deepest love for her was the greatest gift anyone could have ever given her. He gave her the utmost happiness in her last 5+ years of life on Earth and she did for him as well.

Debbie is also survived by her mother: Kathleen McCormack, father: Patrick Howard & Katherine Mammen, sisters: Colleen Howard-Williams & Christina Howard-Greenberg; their husbands Bill Williams & Eric Greenberg; nieces: Amanda Williams & Sandy Greenberg; nephews: Nate Greenberg & Eddie Williams; aunts, uncles & cousins: Theresa, Nick, Andrew, Deena, Elena, Ava & Brayden Farsaris, Maryellen, Mark & Steven Douches, Betty, Jon & Barbara Pedrick, Kathleen & Gary Howard.

We thank the doctors, nurses, and the many staff at the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Morristown for their steadfast care and compassion over the past 4 ½ years. Special appreciation to Charlotte Schmeling for opening her home to Debbie for the last most difficult months of her life.

She was very pure in heart and soul as she lived a simple life, never wanting or needing much to make her happy. She had a heart of gold, caring for and helping others over the years including friends, coworkers & customers from The Chester House in Manville and The Bridgewater Manor. Friends are invited to a Loving Memory event Sunday to share stories, photos and song TBA. Contact Trish or Colleen.

Memorial Services Monday, February 26, 2018 at Cusick Funeral Home in Somerville. Family Viewing at 9am, Public Viewing 9:30-10:30am, Memorial Services 10:30am-11am. Funeral Procession to the Bound Brook Cemetery for a 12pm ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests contributions in her memory to: Carol G. Simon Cancer Center c/o Foundation for Morristown Medical Center, 475 South Street, 1st Floor, Morristown, NJ 07960 or online at www.f4mmc.org OR American Cancer Society.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mycentraljersey/obituary.aspx?n=debra-sue-howard-brown-debbie&pid=188273780&