Debbie passed away on December 24, 2025, after a two-year battle with glioblastoma, a form of incurable brain cancer. 

She was a veteran book designer. She designed on books for authors, editors, agents, poets, artists, chefs, gardeners, and more while working for everyone from the Big 5 to micro-publishers. 

Over COVID she decided to spend some time explaining how design interacts with all the editorial (and other) parts of making books. The result was The Design of Books: An Explainer for Authors, Editors, Agents, and Other Curious Readers published by The University of Chicago Press, already considered by some a classic.

Debbie jumped right into her next book idea. It was planned to be an entertaining look at the history of cookbooks, with an eye toward design, and bursting with pictorial energy. She sold the proposal in early 2024 only to be diagnosed with glioblastoma the very next week. A surgery quickly followed. At that point she thought the book would never happen. But within weeks she was back at it; researching, writing, photographing, and sharing on Instagram. She did all this while undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries. As the obstacles mounted, she grew ever more determined to outpace the tumor. We are happy to say that she completed the book this fall, leaving us with a beautful record of her indomitable spirit and passion for books. 

Cookbooking: A Fan’s Guide will be published by Hardie Grant North America in August 2026.