Deborah Louise Olson-Rizzo, the oldest of 3 daughters, was born to Oke and Louise Olson, on Staten Island, NY, November 27, 1953 and died October 28, 2022.
Deborah would avidly pour herself into the things she loved; this included her Christian faith, oil and pastel painting, health foods, fitness and her husband, Thomas Rizzo.
Deborah’s devotion to her faith inspired others. Her explorations in health and fitness enabled her to help many other people optimize their wellness.
Deborah retired from NYPD in 2003 after serving 20 years as a detective on the force. Her motto then and until her last breath was “do the right thing”. Retirement allowed Deborah to move to the Heathrow community in Lake Mary, Florida and then to her most recent community of Mount Dora.
Deborah was an accomplished artist. After retirement, she focused on her artwork doing many portraits of family, friends, and settings in Mount Dora. She created a series of Civil War paintings, inspired by long-time partner and friend from the NYPD, Thomas Rizzo. Then on September 24, 2016, Deborah and Tommy were married in Mount Dora, where they continued to live until her passing.
Deborah is survived by her husband Tommy; her sisters Lori Olson and Donna Hamilton; her nieces Kelley Holley, Isabella Hamilton and Emily Hamilton; her nephew Ryan Holley and her stepson Michael Rizzo.