Once Upon a Mattress

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

Debbie Gaby is Beginning a New Chapter of Her Fairy-Tale Life

Debbie Gaby is back in the spotlight. A little over a year after her husband’s death, the effervescent Texan who for years invited Arizonans to come to Sleep America in pursuit of a better night’s sleep is opening up about how she is moving on.

“I’m feeling good,” she said. “It took a while to be able to say that.”

Born one of six children in Marshall, Texas, Gaby is a study in steely resilience. Her parents ran an antiques store that burned to the ground. They had no insurance, so the family lost everything.

Just a few years later, Gaby found herself in another tough spot: divorced and supporting a young daughter at 18.

Her salvation came by way of hard work. “I was a Realtor in Texas for 15 years and I’m very proud of that because I worked very hard,” she said. “I really had no life because, being a Realtor, you have the phone glued to your ear 24/7.”