Deborah Landon

Deborah Leona Landon, 53, a native Vermonter, alumni of Connecticut College and University of Illinois, accomplished business owner, valued friend, and beloved family member, passed away peacefully at her home in Minneapolis, MN on 12/8/21.  As fleeting as it was, Deb always lived life to the fullest.

Everywhere Deb went, from the checkout line to half-way around the world, she connected with people.  She loved learning people’s “life stories”.  She had a talent for getting complete strangers to tell her their deepest truths.  As an independent college counselor, she used that skill to change lives helping hundreds of high school students around the world craft their unique story creating countless opportunities for them.  The proudest moment of her career was her son’s acceptance into Northwestern University for Jazz Studies and Liberal Arts.

Deb’s spirit of adventure and zest for life led her to live and study in France, work in Hong Kong, and travel the world.  An accomplished gymnast, she expressed irrepressible joy by cartwheeling whenever possible and pulling off harrowing handstands on top of Great Walls, aqueducts, and other high places she could find.  Growing up in Vermont gave Deb a connection to nature that she carried with her from pointing out the simple beauty of her surroundings to caring for the well-being of animals.  She especially cherished time on the waters of Lake Champlain, Caspian Lake, and Cape Cod.

One of Deb’s favorite axioms for life came from her grandmother – Life should be a party.  Especially if that meant a Christmas party!  Holidays were her season, decorating the house from her vast ornament collection and throwing festive celebrations.  But really any excuse to dance and stay up all night would suffice.  The world’s party lights have dimmed with the loss of her pure energy and enthusiasm.

Deb is survived by the loves of her life: son (Nick), husband (Mike), her parents (Jim and Joan), older sister (Christine), nephew (James), and niece (Monica), as well as a large extended family and countless friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Minneapolis on January 22, 2022.  Please RSVP using this link if you plan to attend (https://forms.gle/AMJ5iPnAoW7nyQTj6).  Additional details will be sent separately to those attending.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to create a lasting memory in her honor by donating to the Deb Landon Jazz Scholarship Fund (https://members.jazzednet.org/in-memory-deborah-landon/) that will support students who have the passion, but not the means, to study jazz performance.