It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Deborah Jean (Dice) Santos, age 63 of Taunton, who passed away on the evening of July 18, 2025 following a long and courageous battle with chronic illness.
Born in South Pasadena, CA, “Debbie” was the daughter of the late Robert and Rita (Ryan) Dice.
She was the beloved wife of Retired Firefighter David Santos for over 44 years, and is survived by her loving children, Desiree Santos, Jaime Santos and wife Holly, and Christopher Santos and husband Joseph.
Debbie is also survived by her sister Sue Roberts, predeceased by sisters Karen Dice and Diane Kennedy, and was the beloved cousin and aunt to many nieces and nephews.
A care-free and fun-loving spirit from California, Debbie moved to Massachusetts as a teenager, living with her Uncle Gasper and Aunt Beverly Sylvia and their children. Debbie graduated from Taunton High School in 1979 and later attended Bristol Plymouth, where she received an education in Nursing, completing the LPN program and gaining employment as a Pediatric Nurse at Morton Hospital for nearly a decade before becoming ill.
Debbie embodied the essence of California sunshine, and saw the joy and beauty in all things. She loved being a mother and cherished time with family and friends, and especially enjoyed traveling and planning adventurous trips and outings with her husband.
Debbie was a talented artist with a diverse crafting portfolio, including beautiful stained glass art. She had a love of music, enjoyed writing and was a poetic soul. She loved the outdoors, the ocean, waterfalls and all matters of nature and living things. She enjoyed gardening, caring for her animals- especially her dogs, and watching the many birds who visited their beautiful home in Taunton.
Debbie was a tremendous fighter, and lived a life of strength and resilience, despite many years of medical challenges. She will be missed terribly by all who knew and loved her.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, July 23rd from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Silva Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday July 24th, 2025 at 10:00am in the Chapel of the Silva Funeral Home 80 Broadway (at Saint Mary’s Square) Taunton. Additional parking with handicap access is located on the North side of the funeral home.
Interment will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Debbie’s memoriam may be made to the Taunton Animal Shelter, in honor of Debbie’s enduring love of animals.
For expressions of sympathy, to sign an online guestbook, to plant a tree in her memory or to light a memorial candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Deborah Jean Santos, please visit our flower store.