Debbie Patricia Arnaud - Johnson

Sister Deborah Patricia Arnaud most lovingly known as Debbie was born on the island of Aruba on December 29, 1962 from the late Gloria Canword and late Lofton Arnaud.

At the age of 57, Sister Debbie fell asleep on May 21st with her beloved sister Cheryl Arnaud by her side at NYU Langone Hospital. She was well known and loved by many. Her presence brought joy, comfort and love to the many lives of those around her including family, friends, the church congregation, neighbors, and work associates. Sister Debbie was a gentle, compassionate, hardworking woman. She was a loving great grand mother, grand mother, mother, sister, aunt and friend.

Sister Debbie gave birth to two children, Gregory Arnaud and Safiya Johnson. Both were loved dearly. As a doting mother, she was a strong supporter and advocate for her children; never too far away. They were centered in her heart.

In her early years, Sister Debbie could be found dancing, playing carnival and swimming at her favorite place, Baby Beach in St Nicholas Aruba with her siblings. While Sister Debbie was the youngest of the three children born to Gloria Canword and Lofton Arnaud; because her her towering height, adventurous spirit, quick wit and assertive nature, she was often times mistaken for the oldest.

In 1974, Sister Debbie migrated to the United States with her family and settled in Brooklyn, New York. With a comforting and empathic demeanor she found her passion in the medical field. She worked as a Dietician Assistant at St. Vincent’s Hospital for over twenty(20) years and at NYU Medical Center for five(5) years until she retired. After spending many years in the State of New York, she relocated to Painter, Virginia.

Being the keeper of many of the families recipes, Sister Debbie loved to cook and every dish would be made from scratch. Some of the dishes that may have graced the table range from bakes and sawfish, croquets, fishcakes, and many, many more.

Most notably she was a woman of faith and believed strongly in the word of Yahweh. At the time of her passing, she was  devoted member of Yahweh Assembly of Macedonia. Sister Debbie would always be found reading her bible. She spent an abundance of her time immersed in the the scriptures. Wanting to pass the word along, she was the Sabbath School Teacher for the youth. She believed all children should be exposed to the word.

Sister Debbie was always present for family interactions whether it was family vacations, birthdays, or graduations.

The memory of Sister Debbie will remain: and, her presence will be profoundly missed. She leaves to mourn: her children, Gregory Arnaud, Brooklyn NY; Safiya Johnson, Painter VA, five grandchildren, Dayquan Carter, her five sisters, Cheryl Arnaud, Brooklyn NY; Minerva Duinkerk, Amsterdam; Kitty Arnaud, Aruba; Julisa Arnaud, Aruba; Izlana Arnaud, Aruba her three brothers Ellis Arnaud, Aruba; O’Neal Arnaud, Aruba; and Ivan Arnaud, Amsterdam: five grandchildren
 

 

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