Debra Ann (Glinsky) Szpara

Mrs. Debra Ann Glinsky Szpara, entered through the vibrant gates of the eternal kingdom guided by the Lord’s angels on Monday July 13, 2026.

We respectfully request that no one arrive at the funeral home prior to the posted visitation times, so as not to intrude on the family’s private time. 

Family and friends are invited to the visitation in the Kowalski Funeral Home, 515 Roselle Street, Linden on Monday, July 20th. from 4:00PM to 7:00PM.  On Tuesday, July 21st. from 9:45-10:00AM everyone is asked to gather directly at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Linden where a funeral mass will be offered at 10:00AM.  The prayers of committal will precede Debra’s burial in the family plot in St. Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family.

Debra, the daughter of the late Betty B. Lesko Glinsky (2005) and the late Edward A. Glinsky (1996), was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, but she spent her entire life in Linden where Debra had deep roots dating back to her grandparents. 

She began her work career as a line operator for thirty years at L’Oreal USA in Clark.  After the plant relocated, Debra transitioned to become a medical assistant at the Foot and Ankle Specialists of NJ in the Scotch Plains office, starting her work with Dr. Dennis Turner.  Thereafter, she worked alongside Dr. Krupa Patel, Dr. Obinna Bgbako and Dr. Yu-Ching Chi until last October of 2025 when she had to curtail some of her work activities.  Debra loved working and she just wanted to return to her daily duties  She enjoyed all her co-workers and the opportunity to meet people and take care of them seemed to vitalize her spirit and her soul.  They all brought her such joy and a sense of purpose. 

Debra was a firecracker to be sure….she was always on the move!  She was constantly broadening her cooking and baking skills, perfecting old family recipes while giving a whirl to brand new ones as well.  No one ever left Debra’s house hungry!  She was a lover of animals, and it seemed to be a mutual relationship in that animals just seemed to be drawn to her.  There were many dogs as well as cats that she cared for over her lifetime.  She rescued a cat six years ago that she named “Baby” who became her shadow, following Debra everywhere she went.  She adored spending time with her only daughter, Erika.  Together they would run errands, stopping in various stores and little shops.  Of course, they hardly ever went out without visiting their favorite stomping ground “Home Goods” where they would get lost for hours.  Her faith was a big part of Debra’s background and her upbringing, and she found peace while in church or praying in her favorite spot in the garden.  Every year she looked forward to planting her springtime flowers - the Hibiscus and the Rio Dipladenias and Debra often lent a helping hand to her husband, William, with the yard work.  When she was not in her pool, she planned family excursions to the shore, taking rides to Pt. Pleasant where they would enjoy sitting by the water or having a delicious meal at Bahr’s Landing.  A favorite pastime that she shared nightly with her husband was watching General Hospital, NCIS, Friends or a Lifetime movie, while enjoying some dessert together.  If you haven’t surmised it yet, Debra was a woman devoted to her family and friends.  There is nothing that gave her greater joy in life than spending time with them.  She wasn’t splashy or extravagant; Debra was simply a woman who lived and loved fiercely…..what a wonderful legacy to leave behind. 

In addition to her parents, Debra was predeceased by her brother, Perry Glinsky in 2018 and her beloved fur baby of fifteen years, “Teddy”, who recently crossed the rainbow bridge.

She now leaves behind the broken hearts of her husband, of forty years, William Szpara; her daughter, Erika Szpara; her two brothers, Edward Glinsky and Donald Glinsky and her neighbors, co-workers and friends.  May we all join in offering our prayers for Debra and our love and support for her family as they now try to navigate life going forward without her.  She will be dearly missed, but Debra will never be forgotten.  May Debra have Eternal Rest with her Lord and Savior.

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