Deborah Hatch Quist

Deborah Hatch Quist passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of October 12th, 2024, at the age of 68. Her passing came after nearly 9 years of battling Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

Debbie is survived by her loving husband, Homer Quist. They were married 46 years ago in the Mesa Arizona Temple, for time and all eternity. Together they created a beautiful family filled with love, learning, and laughter.

Throughout her life Debbie carried many titles, her most cherished titles being, “Mom” and “Grandma.” Debbie loved her children and grandchildren fiercely.  She is survived by her 5 children and their spouses (Aaron and Rebecca Quist, Camilla and Scott Smith, Allen and Courtney Quist, Cheryl and Stephen Ross, and Celsea and Jonathan Mortensen), and her 16 (soon to be 17) grandchildren. Debbie was also a devoted sister. She is survived by 5 siblings: Darlene Noel, Sherryl Glassford, Jeanne Dastrup, Bradford Hatch, and Deanne Moore.

Debbie’s life was full of service. She was always eager to share her love and knowledge of music, baking, sewing, crafting, teaching, and organizing with those around her.

She was involved in various choirs throughout her life. Whether she was conducting primary singing time, ward choir, singing along in a choir, or hemming costumes – in some way or another her life was immersed in music. She testified of the power of music, and had an incredible passion for it.

Anyone that knew Debbie, knew that  food coming from her kitchen was sure to be delicious – especially her bread, apple pie, and pizza. She didn’t hesitate to make meals for others, lead classes on bread making, or host pizza parties for hoards of hungry teenagers. She brought people together through her baking.

Debbie devoted years of her life to teaching. She began her career as a First Grade teacher, and in 1982 started her own Preschool. For 22 years, she used her incredible creativity and artistic skills to create a hands-on, engaging, and fun learning environment for all the children who went through her preschool.

Just as everyone does, Debbie had her share of earthly challenges, nevertheless, she lived her life full of faith and hope in Jesus Christ. She had a powerful testimony of the Temple, and served many years as a temple worker. She loved spending time in the House of the Lord.

We, her loved ones, are forever grateful for all that she sacrificed for us, and for all that she taught us.

Now, at the time of her passing, we know she is free of her physical ailments. She is able to embrace her mother and father, Guinevere and Allen Hatch, as well as her brother, Robert Hatch, again. Oh what a beautiful and well deserved welcome they must have given her! We envision her basking in the chorus of heavenly angels singing, and in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

Until we meet again our sweet Debbie, a beautiful: Wife, Mom, Grandma, Daughter, Sister, and Friend.