Deborah Helen Klales (née Russo), of Philadelphia, PA, passed away peacefully and free of pain on February 9, 2026, at her daughter’s home surrounded by her family. To know her was to love her and to laugh until you cried (or peed).
Debbie was born on October 17, 1956, in Ridley Park, PA, to William Patrick Russo, Sr. and Theresa Nancy Russo (née Napoline). She graduated from Henderson Senior High, in West Chester, PA, in 1974 and attended Widener University, in Chester, PA, working towards her nursing degree.
On August 14, 1982, Debbie married the love of her life John Charles “Chal” Klales, Jr., of West Chester, PA. Together, they built a life of love and fun, that never had a dull moment, with their two daughters, numerous large dogs, Harley Davidson, and friends and family. Her girls, Alexandra Rose Klales “Chickaroo” and Theresa Nicole Klales “Chip” both of Lawrence, KS, were her pride and joy and she considered herself blessed to be their mother. Her blessings only increased twofold with the birth of her grandchildren, twins Mia Amor and Niko Gregory Rocha-Klales. Really, they were the blessed ones.
She was generous, hysterical, strong, and like a second Mom to many. Through optimism, persistence, faith, and a bit of sheer stubbornness, she consistently defied medical odds and never gave up, even at the end.
Debbie worked as a Certified Unit Health Coordinator in nursing at Chester County Hospital, in West Chester, PA, for 23 years, spending much of that time in the Pediatrics Unit. Once retired, Debbie volunteered at Safe Harbor of Chester County and the Brandywine Valley SPCA and she supported many causes related to unsheltered individuals and animal rescue. In 2018, she and her husband moved to Lawrence, KS to be near her daughters.
She received the gift of organ (kidney) donation in 2019, which gave Debbie additional time to meet, love, and cherish her grandchildren and to become a “Grammy,” her proudest title of all. She was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Agnes Church, in West Chester, PA, for most of her life. She enjoyed card and letter writing, Harley rides with her husband “Chal,” reading, her pets and animals, the beach, hustling everyone playing cards after swearing “she could barely remember how to play,” giving and caring for others, and spending time with her husband, girls, and grandchildren.
Debbie is survived by her husband John, daughters Alexandra and Theresa, grandchildren Mia and Niko, brothers William Russo, Jr. and John Russo (Lisa), sisters Kathleen Moldenhauer (Ernie) and Margot Jacobs, her nieces Nicole Hove (Nick) and Karen Irwin (Bill), and nephews Bradley Russo, Jesse Russo (Melissa), and Michael Jacobs (Judy).
She was preceded in death by her parents William and Theresa Russo, her brother Nicholas Joseph Russo, her in-laws Rosina and John C. Klales, Sr., her nephew Casey John Russo, and her brother-in-law Thomas Klales.In lieu of flowers, the family encourages friends and loved ones to honor Debbie’s life through a donation to either the Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester, PA, or the Lawrence Humane Society in Lawrence, KS, a cause close to Debbie’s heart and where her beloved dogs Precious (PA) and Vita (KS) were adopted.
A celebration of life will be held this summer in Pennsylvania at a date and time to be determined in the near future.
Words cannot express the life of such a loving, gracious, spontaneous, caring & giving lady. Debbie became a nurse as her profession in life, which was the greatest decision for all of her patients. She was always by your side to help get you through your issues, even through all of her life struggles. There is a special star in Heaven in the remembrance of the the special lady (cuz) that I had the pleasure to know & be a part of her life. Until we meet again Deb, RIP
Dear Debbie we will miss you. Wir werden Dich vermissen. Deine Deutsche Familie Margot + Manfred from Bavaria