Debi Merse, 43, died on Friday May 14th at Saint Clares Hospital at Denville, NJ Debi was born in Indianapolis, IN and lived most of her life in southern California and Northridge, Ca. She has been a resident of Rockaway Twp., NJ the last three years. She was employed in California as a Commercial Property Manager. She was a licensed Real Estate agent in New Jersey. In 2003 Debi was appointed to the Rockaway Twp. Board of Education and recently won election to that position. She was the Director of Rockaway Twp. Competition Cheerleading 2003-2004 session. Debi was active in the Brownie and Girl Scout troops her daughters were in. Debi was a homemaker and married 18 years to Anthony J. Merse. Debi was a devoted mother to her three daughters Nikole, Melanie, and Chelsea. Her parents survive her, Jane Darin of San Diego, Ca and David Bates of Hermosa Beach, Ca., her two brothers, John Bates of Los Angeles, Ca and Greg Bates of Phoenix, Az, and two sisters, Rebecca Bates of Carlsbad, Ca and Barbara Bates of San Diego, Ca survive her. Funeral from the Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave., Denville, NJ, on Wednesday May 19th at 8:30a.m. for a 10:00a.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial service at St. Cecilias Church Rockaway, NJ. Relatives and friends will be received on Tuesday May 18th 2-4 & 7-9p.m. Memorial donations to Make-A-Wish Foundation of NJ, P.O.Box 4028 1034 Salem St., Union, NJ 07083-7058.