God took our dear friend Debbie one year ago today. She is missed and cherished so often.Forever friends take care of each other. God Bless each of you. Special thoughts and prayers for Wanda and Wendy and their families.

Remember a good friend! Thank you for the very nice memorial at Salty's. It helped. Dianne Brooks

Debbie memories - great love of family, stories of Camp Sealth & her Camp Fire friends, her faith, her voice lifted in song as she strummed her guitar, studying with me & Tofu as we attended college classes, laughter, joy, tears shared over life, being chastised for my hair choices (she had an issue with pink hair), her creative ideas, her kind heart, her warmth. She touched my life in many ways & will forever be in my heart. Rest in Peace dear friend.

Debbie and I were good friends in high school. We sang in Choir, and she invited me, a Girl Scout, to Camp Sealth one summer. It was the best!
I was Maid of Honor at her wedding, and glad to meet Wanda and Wendi when they were born.
Deb and I kept in touch for a few years as she lived her life fast and full, and I took a more measured path through my life. One of our favorite Campfire songs spoke of having "a lifetime of living to do",and I believe Debbie got a lifetime's worth of living done in her time.
I am glad for the time we had together, two feisty blonde girls from opposite sides of the highway.
"Gather round girls, and listen to my story, . . . and a lifetime of livin' I've had to do, a lifetime of livin' to do!" love, Jeri

So many good memories of your caring, talented, beautiful Mom. She was an inspiration to me professionally and personally. She practiced "paying it forward" giving to so many. To Debbie!!!!!

Please know how very sorry I am for the loss of your dear mother. I knew Debbie from school in Federal Way. I hope that you'll be comforted by wonderful memories of her.

Best memory is going with her to play at the Seattle Opera as supernumeraries, which was several weeks for practice and the plays. She was a very happy girl. RIP.

Knew Debbie in high school the Federal Way class of 1969.  She will be missed by us all. Sleep in peace now my friend, we will meet again

So very sorry to hear of Debbie's passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers along with our FWHS class of 1969. In memory of Debbie.

I will never forget the day Debbie came to our wedding (Taylor Anderson) May you RIP...

I worked with Debbie at Weyerhauser. She was one of the primary business representatives giving input for the design of the OEI computer system. She was so dedicated to her job and the plants she served. She was smart and fun to work with. She taught me so much about the recycling business. I loved her heart and her love of the Lord. She is with him now, no doubt smiling and singing.

I metDebbie in 1967 at Camp Sealth.There have been so many times and life events to be together. I cherish those memories, her beautiful voice and inner strength as a woman. Debbie built up all the people around her. I miss her so much but know forever friends will be together. She is leading heaven's choir and smiling with those beautiful eyes.; The tears flow but I know you are beside me. You were such a gift. God Bless

HUGS and MORE HUGS 
Sorry for your loss. The hardest thing in life is to see someone you love go be with God. You will be with her again. Love you much.

I met Debbie when she joined our Sweet Adeline chorus. We sang, laughed and even cooked hot dogs at Petco Park together. And I had the privilege of walking a marathon with her for the Breast Cancer Foundation. She was such a joy to know, and I will miss her lovely smile forever.

I met Debbie for the first time when I interviewed for a customer service job opening in her team at Weyerhaeuser in 1994. After the interview team made a decision, Debbie called and said, “I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” So I said, “The good news.” Then she said, “Well, the bad news is I hired someone else for the job you interviewed for. But, I have this project called OEI that I believe you can help me with and that’s the good news.” October 4, 1994 was the beginning of an amazing work relationship and friendship I had with Debbie Van De Riet and we were a team to be reckoned with! As we began working on this Order Entry & Invoicing project, she told me, “Tofu, this is how it’s going to be. I am the Thinker and you are the Doer. So I do all the heavy thinking and you make sure to do what I think up!” Knowing her, she’s up there thinking… Debbie, you believed in me and gave me an opportunity and I’m grateful and thank God for you. I miss you, my Friend…

"That light which has been given to me, I desire to pass undimmed to others"
Debbie's light brightened all our lives, and will continue to do so for each one of us.
Her smile, her laughter and her amazing attitude touched all our lives, and will continue to do so always.
We will carry her in our hearts, and in our memories forever. She was a most cherished and treasured forever friend.

I met Deb through Horizon Club the end of my Freshman year when we were welcoming the Jr. Highers to Horizon Club. What a self confident leader she already was. She was willing to make friends with every person she met. What a gift, the giving of one's self to others, unconditionally. I was smitten with her from the beginning. The love she gave out was contagious. I remember all the late night conversations on the phone, the many Horizon club events and gatherings, the singing songs together, Deb's beautiful voice, her laugh, and yes that warm, heartfelt smile. Conference week every June at Camp Sealth was a highlight. Her chastising me with a laugh as she always knew who was behind which prank. Years would go by in-between our connections as adults but we would always pick up where we had left off. I know Deb is leading songs on the other side, with a voice more beautiful than ever, sharing her infectious love with everyone she touches. Part of my heart is very sad but the other part is smiling at the anticipation of when we see one another again. Till we meet again, my friend. Well done, well done!

We are so very very sad to hear of Debbie's passing. She was always so kind and sweet to us. We loved when she would invite us across the street when K'lene lived there. She would let us review her songs she was singing with her group. What a beautiful voice she had! K'lene, we will be praying for you all. Our heart also goes out to Kyle and Kelsey. We have such fond memories of our families together when you all lived across the street and your mom was there for a time with you. God Bless! Love, John, Patti, Josiah, Ernie and Lillyana

Debbie I have always been, will always be amazed by the light of your smile. From the first time we met, until the last time we visited, you always made me feel welcome and loved. I will always follow the guidance you gave me, and cherish the time we had together.

When we were kids it seemed like the families visited each other fairly regularly, sometimes on major holidays, sometimes just during summer vacation.
It took some time, once we arrived, to 'break the ice' because I had an afliction called shy n bashful. Debbie was wonderful in making me feel welcome at any time (even when we were at my house). Debbie was one in a million by her personality alone. I cant remember ever seeing her without that big beautiful smile and giving that aura of love and feeling that she genuinely cared for you no matter what.
Im pretty sure it was something I must have done or didnt do that caused us to fall away from each other. Seems like it was a pretty busy part of our lives.
I figured Id make it up to her later, maybe next week, next month, next year. Soon that next year flew by, then ten more then twenty more and on and on.
Its one of those things we say when weve 'missed the boat', or opportunity to make our feelings known.
We need to let our loved ones know how much theyre loved as often as we can before we're not able. Its our loss, my loss. Debbie was a precious and loving person. I feel when we meet again she will welcome us with open arms and big beautiful smile.

Truly very sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort for loved ones...

I see you've been crying my friend.
What's wrong? Nothing.
You seem to be awfully quiet tonight while we were singing.
Do you want to talk about it?
Is your heart low in this feeling you can't describe to me?
I understand.
You want to be alone with me. I'll be quiet.

Why are you crying. I'll go away, but I know you wanted me to stay by the way you touched my arm.
I'll stay close beside you.

Are you sad because this is our last time together?
Don't be.
We've shared time and made precious memories to be held close to our hearts.
Keep these, and forever you will be with me.
 
                    Another one I can't take credit for writing but the sentiment fits exactly.

Deb was a fabulous person. Never once saw her angry or unhappy. I still remember her in the 60's as a true friend. Monday Monday was her favorite song at the time. "Can't touch that day.

If there is someone you can talk to
Someone no one can replace
If there's someone you can turn to
When you need a helping hand
If there's someone you can count on
To advise and understand
If there's someone you can sit with
and not need to say a word
If there's someone you think more
of as each year comes to an end
You're a special person for you've
Found a "Forever Friend"
                       I can't take credit for writing this but it is what is in my heart.

Oh my! My life was forever changed when I met Debbie at Camp Sealth, Camp of our Dreams, the summer we were 15 years old. We were always there for each other through life's ups and downs. We shared an incredibly deep friendship for these many years. There is a HUGE hole in my heart.

I was an 8 year old Camp Fire Bluebird at Salt Water State Park day camp, in 1961 when I first saw Debbie. Terri and I were in the same group having fun at camp. Debbie was only 10 yet she was sharing her warm smile and friendly welcome already. Years later at Horizon Club Conference at Camp Sealth, age 14, she 16, we were cabinmates. I was attending for the first time, and there was that familiar smile. A year later she wrote an inspirational song for me to teach at a weekend retreat. Skip to 1991 and she brings her sweetest group of friends to lead songs and inspirations to an alumni weekend, as well as her and Benny's embroidery talents to our reunion attire. Others could have made the shirts, and led the songs, but the deeper connection to the music can not be copied. She was a lifelong friend. An inspiration. A smile of love and hope. Compassion. Wohelo Forever.

My family and I are very sorry for your loss. We did not know Debbie very well, but had the chance to meet and enjoy her company a few times back in the camping days when all the kids were young. Yes she left a lasting impression in my heart as all truly beautiful people do. Our prayers go out to you and your loved ones. She will always be looking after you, for "SHE" is your guardian angel......The Neil Mattern family

I met Debbie and her family when I lived a crossed the street from them in Federal Way. We became instant friends and co-leadered bluebirds for our daughters. She was a wonderful person and loved her family.

I met Debbie when she was the pit one captain in San Diego for the Breast Cancer 3-Day. She was a great captain on the event. Although she didn't continue doing the event, she left a lasting impression on me and every year, Benny has such nice things to say about her. I know she was loved by many. She is a shining star and will be remembered as such. ❤