Deborah Ware Parrish

August 14, 1942 - January 26, 2025

Deborah Hart Ware Parrish, mother, wife, teacher, and full of love, passed peacefully on January 26th at her home in Brevard, North Carolina. She was 82 years old.

Born Deborah Hart Ware in 1942 in Atlanta, Georgia to parents Helen Manor Mixson Ware and Marion Dargan Ware, and known to friends and family as Debbie or Honey, she graduated an Alpha Delta Pi from FSU in 1962 with a degree in English Literature. Debbie was part of the Florida State Flying High Circus, where she met her husband, Rodney Parrish, when they were paired on the trapeze. They married on New Year's Eve, 1962. Before college, she danced with the Atlanta Civic Ballet, and spent many years dancing and later teaching ballet. She was co-artistic director at Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre in Pensacola, Florida, where she raised her family. She and Rod enjoyed volunteering with the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival for many years; the Parrish Performing Arts Stage was named in their honor.

Known to all as a friend, mentor, and a joy to be around, Debbie brought light and love to everyone. When she walked in a room, it brightened and became all the more joyful. She will be missed by many and will continue to bring light in all our memories and lives.

In addition to her husband Rod, she is survived by her three children, Patrick Parrish, Susannah Fritton, and Becca Parrish, (spouses Alex Gilbert, Chris Fritton, and Peter Hannert, respectively) and three grandchildren, Wyatt, Delilah, and Clyde, all of New York City. She is preceded in death by her brother, Chris Ware.

A memorial service will be hosted later this year.