With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Debra Lozada Ithier, lovingly known as Debbie to those closest to her, who passed away on March 7, 2026, at the age of 64 after a short battle with Pancreatic Cancer.
Debbie was a proud long-time resident of Morningside Heights, a neighborhood she loved and served in so many ways. If there was a way to help, Debbie found it. She volunteered through the PTA at her granddaughter’s school, spent years giving her time at the CYO retreat center Grace House before it closed in the early 2010s, and built a community of friends who quickly became like family. Debbie had a gift for connecting with people—by the end of a conversation, you were no longer a stranger.
Debbie always spoke warmly about her years working in the administrative office at Columbia University. When she was laid off in the 1990s, she didn’t let it stop her. Debbie was determined and resourceful, taking on whatever work she could to support her family. Over the years she wore many hats—from supermarket cashier to home health aide, school cafeteria worker, and even security guard at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. As a single mother raising three children, she worked tirelessly and did whatever needed to be done to make sure they were taken care of.
But if you ask anyone who knew Debbie, they’ll tell you her greatest joy was always her family. She loved nothing more than being surrounded by her kids, her friends, and especially her grandchildren, who could always count on her for love, laughter, and probably a little mischief.
Debbie also knew how to enjoy life. If there was a party—and especially if there was music—you could bet she’d be there. Salsa music was her favorite, and it didn’t matter whether she had a partner or not—you could always find her out on the dance floor having the time of her life.
She also had a fun and quirky passion: collecting memorabilia from the classic television show I Love Lucy. If you ever needed a gift idea for her, the answer was easy—anything Lucy-related would do the trick.
Debbie leaves behind the people who meant the most to her: her daughter Katrina and son-in-law Miguel; her sons Jai (Pito) and Mark (Anthony); her daughter-in-law Angelica; and her beloved grandchildren Adriana, Ava, and Mac, who lit up her world. She is also survived by her sister Brigette, her niece Mariah (Alex), and her nephews Rafael Jr., Christopher, and Andrew.
Reposing will be held on Wednesday, March 18th, at Riverdale on the Hudson Funeral Home, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Ascension Church at 10:00 am on Thursday, March 19th. Interment will be at St. Charles Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.