Debbie Simon, major Newport Beach socialite, dies; she was 53
Friday, September 11, 2009 at 6:42PM 
Debbie Simon, one of Newport Beach's better known socialites, died Thursday at her Harbor Island home. She was 53. The cause of death wasn't given.
The former Miss New York moved to Newport Beach in 2001 and quickly established herself as a major player in Orange County philanthropic circles. She served on the board of Hoag Hospital's 552 Club and Angels of the Arts of Orange County, and was involved in many other charities, including Junior Diabetes Research Foundation.
"She was a wonderful person, extremely generous, and had a kind and loving heart," said close friend Rosalie Pulio. "She never turned anyone away."
Simon, a divorcee, often allowed her Harbor Island mansion, reported to be worth $36 million, to be used for charity events.
Despite her move to Orange County, Simon remained a resident of New Jersey, and often traveled to the East Coast.
Simon was survived by her parents, four siblings and three grown children. A funeral is set for next week in New Jersey. A memorial service in Newport Beach is being planned for later this month.
Reader Comments (26)
You will be missed! You were truly one of a kind and my heart goes out to you and your famly. I will never forget you and I will do my best to be a better person and give to my community as you did.
Love always,
RH
What a wonderful, giving, loving person you were and it was my honor to know you through my friend Rosalie, who dearly loved you.
May God wrap his arms around your family and loved ones to give them the strength and warmth they need. The angels have a new beauty among them.
With much love and sweet memories,
Cindy Murray
You will be missed by so many, you were envied by many, loved by all, and was one of the strongest woman i have ever known. You were an angel here on earth and now you are an angel up in heaven. We spent many of times in the salon (one of your favorite places to be ) ha ha, you were a hero in my eyes.. God bless your children and family....... may he rest your soul. we love you Debbie
Debbie, I'm so sad. You have always been such a great friend and always there for me when I asked. I will always look up to you as the great mentor that you were tp me. You will be missed by so many and remembered for your strength and beauty inside and out. I love you and will miss you. Caren
Debbie, You were such an inspiration to so many people. I will cherish the times we spent together and the many conversations we shared. I truly knew your innermost heart. I feel priviledged to have prayed often together with you. I also know how much you loved and adored your children. I know what a remarkably strong woman you were and will I miss you deeply. Although my heart is broken, I know that I will see you again one day. I know that Jesus was there to greet you when you passed from this life into eternity and I am happy that you are at peace and in the loving arms of our saviour, Christ.
In His Love,
Casey
R.I.P. Debbie, that's all you wanted.... peace. I know you are going to find it in Heaven! You were truly an inspiration to a lot of people. Not only a beautiful women on the outside but 100x's more on the inside. Your devotion and service to your family and community, your courage and strenghth to stay sound when things aren't so great......What happened Debbie???
Your amazing smile and most generous heart will be so very missed. I love you.
SMC
With out Debbie in my life I do not have my children, best friend, wife or my career! She will for ever be a part of my family! She was incredibly generous to all she touched and will be very missed!
Debbie, your loss is felt by so many family and friends. You were such a beautiful loving girl
I hope you are at peace now and know Gof will take good care of you now
Debbie, You lit up a room when you walked in. I will never forget the first time I saw you. WOW! You touched so many lifes in all ways: You rallied through some tough years with courage and tenacity. May your children, parents, siblings and close friends find the strength to carry them through the difficult days and nights to come. Risposare in pace.
MRS. ......i pray to god..that you are at peace now....my heart is sooooooo sad....my prayers are with the family...especially lauren......you were the best boss i could ever ask for and i will always cherish my simonworld memories.....i wish you knew ....or believed....how much you were so liked and soooo loved by so many......peace be with you mrs.............you will be so missed...and always in our thoughts and prayers.....love always...michele.
Although our acquaintance was brief, I enjoyed the time we spent together at BCYC, a beautiful spirit. My heart goes out to the family and friends, May God comfort you…
John & Nancy Hamilton
My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the family and friends of Debbie Purritano Simon.Her outer beauty ,insouciance and friendly nature were only exceded by her inner beauty and the generosity of her very giving nature as exhibited her outstanding and unselfish leadership,work and particularly efforts within the Charitable community wherever and whenever it was required.Her loyalty and friendly "smile' will never be forgotten by those who knew her. God has chosen that her needed more and may he keep her close and bless her as we keep her memory fondly within our hearts.Tom Flanigan[formerly of Albany,N.Y. and present resident of Newport Beach,CA.]
My dear sweet Debbie...this is MARGO... I have to write to you while you are in heaven...I MISS YOU ALREADY...You broke my heart by leaving us here on Earth. I have known you for 25 years, you truly have made such an IMPACT on my life and I have been crying for days asking WHY...Nothing in life was worth LOSING YOU...you could have left your broken heart with me anytime... YOUR the one we all I ADMIRED. I admired you Debbie due to you did it right in life, you knew the word RESPECT, HONOR, KINDNESS, GIVING, HUMANITY, YOU KNEW TRUE LOVE DEEP DOWN IN YOUR HEART...
I will never forget the day you came to see me, and you said "Margo, yes, it is nice to get the diamonds, but you know what I loved more was the NOTES he gave me."...you see Debbie, you knew deep down what true love was, even though it did not go in your favor...followed by a desire to get what you truly deserved. You were the shining star and whoever got YOU in LIFE...WON THE PRIZE...
You deeply loved your children...(Lauren this message is for you right now...I am so sorry, and I see your tears and hear your cries for the rest of your life...She loved YOU, DAVID, AND SCOTT... she loved her children so much and I am so sorry that her pain in her heart consumed her, to leave you all.)
Debbie, thank you for your GIFTS, YOUR TEACHINGS, YOUR SMILE, YOUR TRUTH.
I will forever miss you and I have with me my endless amounts of photos of us that I will take with me...your parties...thank you for always inviting me and making me a part of your life... YOU SURE WERE A PART OF MY LIFE...
I guess this is it Debbie...it is time for me to say GOODBYE...I LOVE YOU DEBBIE...and your making me cry right now as I write this...your finally HOME...YOUR AT PEACE...Your with the angels right now and I bet they are SERENADING YOU ABOVE AS WE ARE SERENADING YOU BELOW RIGHT NOW...how lucky we all are...
Goodbye sweet friend...YOUR FRIEND...MARGO...
Margo Della Torre...MQ...
Debbie
It is with deepest sadness to understand and cope with the fact that you’re not calling me or I can’t pick up a phone and hear your voice, your laugh. We cannot see each other and I can no longer see your smile. To talk about the kids and share each other’s life as we have so often. . I will never forget the day we met and the years after, we shared so much. The laughing, crying both in sadness and in fun. I enjoyed every moment we spent together and will always cherish the memories. I will always have a special place in my heart for you.
Love Always
Michael
I will always remember 1011 !!!!
Debbie, it has been so many years since we saw each other. We had such great fun in high school. I always wanted to find you after you moved to NY. You were always so much fun to be with , and always a friend to all. I am so sorry that I waited too long to contact you. Now it's too late. I'm sure that your children are beautiful just like you.I'm sure that your bubbly personality willl be greatly utilized up in heaven where you will live on for eternity. God bless you and your family.
Oh my Debbie, I can't believe you are not here with us anymore. Your beautiful aura will be missed forever.
I will always keep your memory with me.
Well, another all too familiar story. Poor thing; she married a disgusting dumbass, no class bastard who paraded around making a giant ass of himself and consequently, hurting his family. Broken hearts can be deadly!
Way to go, Arnie. (you piece of shit!)
The world is less beautiful with Debbie gone. That is something we can all agree upon I am sure. The fact that so many people (and so many women especially) have written such lovely things about a person who was one of the most physically attractive women in the world, tells you how special Debbie was on the inside too. She never harbored negativity for anyone and treated everyone the same – whether meeting the Clintons in the White House (as she did) or reaching out to those in need around her. Everyone was equally special to her.
As a result of her death, my life is less vibrant, however my conviction more certain to be aware and responsive to those around me who might be suffering from depression. Many of us knew Debbie had ups and downs during her grueling eight year contentious divorce. She held her head high and endured her husband’s many public infidelities, legal maneuverings and economic abuses with a great deal of strength and nobility – so much so that we all missed the final straw that was simply too much for her. It is my deepest conviction that when anyone around me is suffering from depression, no matter how brave and successfully they seem to have been dealing with it, I will no longer assume that the snares of that mental disease are not capable of dealing a final blow. Of all people, I should have known having suffered from depression myself.
Dearest Debbie, the exemplary life you led as a faithful wife and devoted mother and especially as a reliable friend to so many will live on in the wonderful children you raised and the many friends you have touched.
With love and respect Debbie,
It makes me very sad to know you are not with us any more. It makes me very humble
to think that one of the most beautiful, generous, kindest woman in the world lost her inner light and succumbed to the darkness. What we missed Debbie ? Why we were not able to see you ? Please forgive us.
Georgia
Dear Debbie,
I cannot get you off of my mind. As you were just beginning your life in Newport Beach you called me for advice...just as I was helping you, my life surprisingly fell apart with the discovery of my own husband's infidelities. I know your pain,I understand. I know how you tried your best to overcome the hurt and loss,I understand. It never goes away,even if everyone around you is telling you to move on....it never goes away. The years and years of constant attacks and humiliation are more than any human being can take.
I hope you are resting in peace and in a place that comforts you. You will never be alone again. You will forever be in my thoughts.