Debbie Baca

In loving memory of Debbie Baca who passed away peacefully at her residence on December 21, 2023 at the age of 72. She was a mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.  Debbie was born in Mesa in November 1952, to Gene and Ida Mae Costello. She grew up in Arizona and graduated from Ocotillo High School.

In March of 1972 Debbie married her sweetheart, Dennis Forman and went on to raise four intelligent, witty, and sarcastic children. She loved her children and grandchildren with a peculiar ferocity. Debbie inspired all who knew her when she graduated from Northern Arizona University at the age of forty-two with a degree in dental hygiene. She went on to have a rewarding career where she enjoyed meeting people and giving anti-smoking lectures.

Known for her love of all things scary, her uncanny impressions, and her ability to tell a good story, Debbie will be missed by those who knew her, mostly for those moments when she made you laugh harder than anyone else could.

Debbie is survived by her children, Ryan (April) Forman, Rebecca Lundberg, Randall Forman, and Rachelle Forman; brothers, Ken (Kathy) Costello, Dan (Patty) Costello, and Jerry Costello; her grandchildren Grant, Garrett, Grace, and Gavin Forman, Jennifer and Joel Lundberg; Ashley Tolman and Rebecca Stillman; nieces Karen (Curtis) Frederick and Jexy (Patrick) Rosenthal. Preceding her in death are her parents, Gene and Ida Costello; her beloved grandmother Bonnie Mae Mankins “Big Mama” and George Harrison Rust “Big Daddy” and her husband Elias Baca.

A viewing will be held at McDougal Caldwell Funeral home in Safford, AZ on Friday, January 5 at 9:00am
– 10:00am followed by a graveside service in Virden, NM at 11:30am.