Deborah Coronado

Deborah Coronado was called to Heaven unexpectedly on May 8, 2012 while vacationing in Florida.

Born to Malcolm and Emily VanAntwerp (McClean) on October 4, 1944, Debbie was one who loved life, a good book, spending time with family and friends, education, helping others, and above all her Savior Jesus Christ.

Always willing to take an adventure, Debbie traveled the globe. From the Middle East, to Central and South America or even to the next town over, she was always willing to take the plunge and explore new places. She fell in love with the Spanish language and Latin culture, so much that during a missionary trip to Mexico she met and later married Manuel Coronado and spent over ten years living in the Yucatan Peninsula establishing churches and spreading the Gospel.

As a teacher and promoter of education she left this earth with a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, the latter of which she used as a librarian for the City of Austin, TX for 17 years before retiring and moving to Des Moines in 2011.

Always taking great joy in her family and especially in her role of grandmother, she was the understated engine that kept the family running. She always saw the best of what a person could be and pushed them to achieve it. She was a constant in life’s equation that could be counted and depended on. She was always the cheerleader and encourager, freely giving of her love and understanding without judgment.

She was many things to many people; a devoted daughter, a big sister, a loving mother, a doting grandma, a cancer survivor, a teacher, a pianist and a friend and so much more. Her death leaves a hole in our hearts, but we know that she’s in Heaven with the Lord – the best Mother’s Day she could have.

Debbie is survived by her father the Rev. Malcolm VanAntwerp; children David (Lissy) Coronado, Daniel (Angela) Coronado, Ana (Artemio) Rincon; siblings, Tom VanAntwerp, Ruth VanAntwerp, and Mark (Guillermina) VanAntwerp; grandchildren, Leyla and Caleb Coronado, Emily and Naomi Rincon, and Alex Coronado, as well as innumerable extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother.

Family will greet visitors at 10 a.m. and funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. at Galilee Baptist Church, 2208 Des Moines St. on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 with interment following at Oakwood Cemetery in Pleasant Hill.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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