Debra ‘Debbie’ Opfer – formerly of Elizabeth

Debra “Debbie” Opfer (née Rodino) lost her battle with cancer on Aug. 8, 2026. She was born on Aug. 16, 1953, in McKeesport, Pa., to Ross and Joan Rodino and was the eldest of five children. In the 1960s, Debbie’s family moved to Indiana. As an adult, she chose to return to Elizabeth, Pa., where she met Barry Opfer Sr., her devoted husband of 46 years. Debbie retired from Peoples Gas Company at age 55. A gifted artist, she loved crafts and was especially talented in ceramics and beadwork. She also enjoyed crocheting. For many years, Debbie and Barry owned Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and she was an active member of their local Harley Owners Group in Pennsylvania. Following retirement, they moved to Punta Gorda, Fla.. Above all, Debbie loved her family, including her cherished pets. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ross and Joan Rodino; her in-laws, John and Eleanor “Hun” Opfer; and her beloved pets, Cinnamon, Heidi, Fat Boy and Peepers. Debbie is survived by her loving husband, Barry Opfer Sr.; her siblings, Joe (Deb Mathews) Rodino, Rick (Alvin) Rodino, Holly (Tom) Breese and Mary (Rich Homer) Rodino; and her beloved aunt, Marie (the late Walter) Gacek. She is also survived by her stepson, Barry (Jessie Nestor) Opfer Jr.; her nephews, Michael (Wendy) Rodino, Brian (Samantha) Breese, Brent (Caroline Dienes) Breese and Ross Rodino II; her great-nieces, Viviana Rodino, Genevieve Rodino and Claire Breese; her step-granddaughters, Izabella and Anastazia Opfer; and many beloved cousins. Debbie also leaves behind two treasured friends, Nancy (Hill) Tillett and Maureen (McCorkel) Crowley. Cremation services were held, and arrangements were private. In Debbie’s memory, the family requests that donations be made to a local animal shelter or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.