Deborah Dean Riggs "Dede" Worley

Dean Riggs “Dede” Worley, 72, of Cape Carteret, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, dedication, and service.

“Dede” was born to the late Gilbert Riggs and Jerry Anne Campbell on November 30, 1951, in Morehead City, North Carolina. She spent her childhood as a military child living in numerous places including Greece, Alabama, and Connecticut.

Dede graduated from West Carteret High School in 1969 and began her nursing education at North Carolina Baptist Hospital School of Nursing School, earning her degree in 1972. She then completed her Bachelor of Nursing in 1993 from Excelsior College and later achieving a Master's in Nursing, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from Akron University in Ohio in 1995. In 2011, she pursued her passion and completed a Private Investigator Certification and licensing from Boston University. She had a wonderful career in nursing having retired from the Cleveland Clinic and continued her professional journey with Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, and Tercica. 

Upon her retirement, she returned to Cape Carteret, NC, where she lovingly cared for her mother, Jerry Anne during her final years. During retirement, she pursued her passion for investigation, running a small business as a Private Investigator, process serving, and mobile notary. 

Throughout her years she was very active in numerous nursing organizations including PENS. She volunteered throughout the years in her children’s school and sports activities. In retirement she was very active in volunteering at the Salvation Army, Carteret County Crystal Coast Women’s Republican Group, and several other organizations. 

Although, through all her travels and moves throughout the years of her life, Carteret County remained her true home and the place she cherished most. She thoroughly enjoyed her retirement chapter there and being able to be involved in the local community. 

She had a huge passion for North Carolina State Football, GO PACK!

Deborah is survived by her former husband, life companion, and dear friend, Larry Worley of North Ridgeville, Ohio. Deborah is also survived by her three daughters, Mariah Miné Dunn (Dan) of Brunswick, Ohio, Molly Melissa Worley of Cary, North Carolina, and Maren Worley Catolico (Ian) of Spartanburg, South Carolina. She was a beloved grandmother to six grandchildren, Camryn Dunn, Jaxon Dunn, Rylee Dunn, Piper Catolico, Sigmund Catolico, and Hampton Catolico. Throughout her life, she cherished her numerous fur babies. 

In addition to her parents, Deborah was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leroy and Eunice Guthrie, Annie McIntosh, and Edward Riggs. 

Her life was a testament to her unwavering dedication to her family, her profession, and her community. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service to honor Deborah’s life will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, August 3rd at Munden Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Bayview Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army in Morehead City or Carteret County Humane Society in her memory.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.