Deborah Ann Brands Amundsen

DEBORAH BRANDS AMUNDSEN

After an extended illness, Deborah Brands Amundsen (“Debbie”) (68), sweet loving wife of 34 years to William Kurt Amundsen (“Bill”) and highly devoted mother to Andrew Madden Amundsen (33) and Stephen John Amundsen (30), peacefully slipped the bonds of this world and went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of January 3, 2023. In her final days, she was constantly surrounded by many loving family and friends.
A native of Arabi, LA, Debbie was preceded in death by her father, John Alvin Brands, mother, Eunice Williamson Brands and brother, John Alvin Brands, Jr. (Pamela). She is survived by her husband, Bill, her sons, Andrew and Stephen, her sister, Susan Brands Grieshaber, her sister-in-law, Pamela Brugier Brands, and many extended family members.
Debbie was affectionately referred to as “Nanny” by nephew, Domenick Grieshaber III and wife, Elizabeth Ball Grieshaber (“Nummy”) (children: Domenick IV, Elsa, Greta and Eva); niece, Allyson Grieshaber Serio and husband, Richard Serio, Jr. (“Dan”) (children: Richard III, Marguerite, Gabriel and William); niece, Caroline Grieshaber Ashley and husband, Stephen Ashley, Jr. (children: Katherine (“Khaki”) and Stephen III (“Bubby”), and their children called her “Grand Nan”. She was also known as “Aunt Debbie” to nephew, John Alvin Brands, III and wife Madeline Kliebert Brands; and nephew, Michael Christopher Brands.
Debbie attended school at St. Louise de Marillac in Arabi and The Academy of the Holy Angels. She attended Hotel Dieu School of Nursing, graduating in 1975 as a Registered Nurse. She was the recipient of the St. Vincent de Paul Award signifying the graduate best exemplifying the caring and compassion needed to be a great nurse. For the next 41 years, Debbie demonstrated these traits while caring for the sick in many different settings always bringing her genuine heartfelt compassion to her patients, many of whom asked, “Is Debbie taking care of me tomorrow?”
Debbie’s natural compassion and desire to heal was tested and brought to bear when she and Bill learned their two sons were diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders in their early years. Her sons became the focal point of the remainder of her life as she constantly strove to help them achieve as much as possible, while also teaching them to be kind and considerate young men devoted to God. Mission accomplished.
The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to Dr. Joseph Tarsia and the Ochsner Vascular Neurology department for their highly professional and compassionate care. Special thanks to Dr. Steven Greenberg and his team at Massachusetts General Hospital for kindly and compassionately educating and helping Debbie and her family understand and navigate the insidious disease of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy. They both made the path easier.
Family and friends are invited to come and help celebrate Debbie’s well-lived life at Greenwood Funeral Home at 5200 Canal Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with a Memorial Mass to be held at 1:00 PM. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery immediately following. The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories and condolences online at www.greenwoodfh.com

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