Debra Tsutsui Grant

Our beloved Mimi, Mom, Auntie, Sister and Friend left us on October 29, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Debbie was born to Shigetoshi (Jimmy) and Daisy Kaneko Tsutsui on October 10, 1954 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the youngest of 7 siblings: Bob (JoAnn), Eddie (Kirsten), Frances (Steve), Janice, Donny (Judy), and Kathy. She graduated from Granite High School. As a single mom of four young girls, Debbie worked very hard at multiple jobs to support her family. She did not complain, make excuses, or feel sorry for herself; the love she had for her daughters and family motivated her to keep going. She inspired her daughters to be the same kind of hard working, loving, and dedicated Mothers, Wives, Friends and Students.

Debbie graduated from the Salt Lake Community College with a degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant in 2001. After all the years of working two jobs, going to school, and raising 4 teenage girls in a 1-bathroom house, Debbie did not know what to do with all the time. It was so nice to see her finally get to relax a little bit, even though she still would vacuum the house at 3:00 am here and there. In 2007 she suffered kidney failure. In 2008 her son in law, Marty Merrell (Nichol), gave her the gift of life and when his “racing kidney” started doing its job, she was back and as healthy as ever. When she started having problems with her blood pressure and had to go to the hospital, we all thought she would just keep on going. Debbie loved her family so much, but her heart had nothing left.

Debbie is survived by her daughters Angie (Ian), Teresa, Nichol (Marty), and Brandy (Kammon); 7 grandsons Kyan, Lincoln, Lucas, Connor, Jax, Liam, Dane, and her favorite granddaughter Sierra; as well as siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends. Nothing made Debbie happier than time with her family, especially her grandkids. Please spend time with your family and tell them you love them; Debbie would like that.

We want to thank all the Nurses and Doctors who worked with Debbie and her family over the years.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the National Kidney Foundation in her name.

A Celebration of Debbie's life will be held in her honor on Friday, November 19, 2021 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Come with a smile to celebrate the most amazing woman we all know and love.