I pretended to run the PAS meeting as the Program Chair for two years, 2010 in Vancouver and 2011 in Denver. I had already gotten to know and adore Deb as a council member for the SPR and as PAS Program Committee member. I particularly loved going with Deb to unwind after those day-long meetings for a class of wine (or two). While I knew her pretty well from those experiences, it was during the two years as Program Chair that I really got to know her well. There was stuff happening all year long and we spoke frequently. She effortlessly made it so easy to take on that daunting role. And she never let on how much she was really running things, letting me (or whoever was the Program Chair) look like they were the one. But it was always her, and with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. And we innovated the Opening Session with the Keynote Address, which will now bear her name in fitting tribute.
  It is hard to fathom the PAS meeting without Deb. It won't ever be the same but we will carry on because we must and because she would have insisted on that. 

With a heavy heart and much love,

Bruce 

When I was serving as President of SPR we were celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the SPR.  For my Presidential project Deb and I shared a wonderful journey into the past to the origin of the SPR.  It was such a joyful time as you can see from this photo!!
We found original source documents of letters and contracts, some of which were crumbling and brown with age, amazing photographs, and priceless artifacts.  These precious things were lovingly saved by Deb in boxes she kept safe throughout the years. No doubt, this was the first time these documents had seen the light of day in decades.  It was such a wonderful experience! We then summarized the history in a joint poster presentation (Deb's one and only scientific presentation at the Annual Meeting!), displayed the original documents, photographs, and artifacts under glass, and I summarized the History and Spirit of the SPR in my Presidential Address, titled "Blackshirts and Red Bandanas" at the Annual Meeting in San Franciso that year so that all the members could share in the history of the first 50 years of the SPR.
Deb loved the SPR !
I loved Deb!

It was a great time ...... we miss you.....

Gail