Debra Balivia

Debra Kay Balivia, 72, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Friday April 21, 2023 at Dublin Methodist Hospital. Born in Mansfield, Ohio on March 27, 1951, she was the youngest daughter of the late Steve and Gladys Takos. Debra graduated from Columbus West High School in 1969. In 1999, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from The DeVry Institute of Technology with a Bachelor’s Degree. She spent her professional career working in Medical Business Administration, retiring from The Kidney Center of Columbus in 2015.

Debra was also preceded in death by her mother and father-in-law Lourdes and Inigo Balivia Sr; her brothers-in-law Inigo Balivia Jr, Dr. Crisostomo Reyes; and her adopted grandson Sammy Johnson. Debra is survived by her husband of 51 years, Jerry Balivia; their only daughter, Lucy Balivia (Matthew Simmons); grandson, Lawrence “Mickey” Detty III (Kasey and Trenton Rodman); granddaughter, Camellia Sky Simmons; Matthew’s daughter’s Katelyn Simmons and Iria Stover; brother, Steve (Dixie) Takos Jr; sister, Vicki (Jack) Wentzel; sister-in-law, Dr. Luzvaminda Reyes; nieces and nephews, Amy Knapp, Andy Takos, Eric Weate, Pete (Alison) Weate, Chuck (Michelle) Wentzel, Jay (Yun-Hee) Wentzel, Amy (Theresa) Reyes-Port, Nina (Matt) Keyes, Chris (Tracy) Reyes, and their respective children; longtime friends Bobbi Schmidt and Shelley Mitchell. She is also survived by extended family in Mansfield, Canada and the Philippines.

Close family and friends may pay their respects at Jerry Spears Funeral Home of Hilliard , 5471 Frazell Rd Hilliard , Ohio 43026. Monday, May 1, 2023 from 4pm-7pm. Pastor Kevin Ross will offer prayer immediately following. Olivia Maymard will also sing a song tribute. Please email your favorite photos of Debra to her family: lbal.sim0126@gmail.com. Please do not feel obligated to wear black or dress up, Debra would want her family and friends to be comfortable. If you would like to pay tribute to her, please wear something blue, her favorite color or sport The Ohio State Buckeyes. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Debra’s name to St. Cecilia Catholic School, where her granddaughter Camellia attends.

There will be a Celebration of Life will be hosted by The Wilson-Wolf Family on Saturday, May 6 th , 2023 at 2pm. Ater Acres, 28100 Ater Rd. Clarksburg, Ohio 43115. Family and friends may bring a covered dish, dessert, or beverages if you would like.

Debra’s family would like to thank the following (and their families) for their unconditional love, support, and generosity: Mutta and Susan Lubago and Thavone Phouthavong of Hope Health Arijai Henry of Raphael Home Health, Dr. Alexandra Sutula of The Dedicated Senior Medical Center and Staff, Dawn Bartley of The Central Ohio Area of Aging, The Staff at the Laurels of West Columbus, Steve Spears of Jerry Spears Funeral Home, The Reyes Family (Reyes-Port, Keyes, Hammons), The Cubungcal Family, The Simmons Family (Jones, Hamilton, Talbot, Collins, Ciardelli), Ashleigh Wilson-Wolf, Stephanie Baker, Jennifer Hurt, Mary Shepard, Pastor Kevin Ross, Melissa Baltzer, Mary Banks, Roy Walls, The Richards Family (Taylor, Senters, McKee), Our Local Pediatric Cancer Family, Wiseman Dance Studio, Cyndee’s Studio of Dance, UPS, State Tire and Auto, T and R Properties Family, Towne Properties Friends, The Wagner Family, Danielle Reed. 

Debra’s daughter Lucy would like to take a moment to recognize the Emergency Department and 3rd Floor ICU Staff at Dublin Methodist Hospital for the compassionate care that they provided to Debra in her final hours, especially, a Respiratory Therapist named Jason who surrounded her with love as she peacefully took her last breath at 12:14 am.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.