Debra Lynne (McLeod) Boratto of Denver, CO, age 49, formerly of Battle Creek, died unexpectedly on December 31, 2011, at her home in Denver, Colorado. She was born on April 7, 1962, in Battle Creek, to Gordon and Julia (Torres) McLeod. She attended St. Joseph Elementary and St. Joseph Middle School before graduating from Lakeview High School in 1980. After high school, she was a bookkeeper in Kalamazoo before moving to Denver, Colorado. She was married to Dan Boratto from 1989 to 2001. As a single woman, Debbie lived in Phoenix, Arizona and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, before moving back to Battle Creek, where she enjoyed working for Zucca's Catering at the Beckley Road Felpausch Food Center. Her biggest professional challenge came when she was hired to cook for Warren Springs, California, Narc-Anon facility, where she alone was responsible for feeding 85 people three meals per day, seven days per week for four years. In 2007, she moved back to Denver, where she was a successful caterer and more recently worked as a server for T.G.I. Friday's. She received accolades when she catered both the rehearsal dinner and reception for her niece, wedding in 2007. Debbie was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Wilson and Betty McLeod, and maternal grandfather, Carl Torres all of Battle Creek. She is survived by her maternal grandmother, of Battle Creek; her father, of Athens; her mother, of Battle Creek; a sister, of Denver, CO; a niece, of Brighton, CO; a nephew, of Denver, CO; and many aunts, uncles and cousins who will cherish her memory forever. Debbie had a wonderful sense of humor and a joy for life. She had a tremendous knack for organization. Her people skills were recognized early on, when she was presented the prestigious Leadership Award in fifth grade. She enjoyed working, reading, loved her friends, family and her cat "Sadie". Throughout her life, her great grandfather, Louis Perez of Battle Creek referred to her as "Debbie the Great". Cremation has taken place and a visitation will be held Saturday, January 28, 2012, from 2 to 5:00 p.m., at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family. www.henryfuneralhome.org

Published in Battle Creek Enquirer on Sunday January 22, 2012 Page B2 col. 1