“It must have been March or April of 2010. I was new at Empire West and my new boss said that there were some people he wanted me to meet. He said he was working on partnering with them and making them part of our company. That was the day I met Jack and Debbie Teegardin. They had owned a small agency, Jack serving as administrator & chief rain maker, Debbie supervising the production and customer experience. Over the years we have worked together, Debbie was a great escrow officer, manager, and friend. Debbie always treated her co-workers and customers with affection and respect. Escrow can be a very demanding business and Debbie always made it look easy. I have a habit of arriving un-announced in our branch locations. Debbie was always busy but I never had the sense that I was intruding on her time, which I know was in short supply. She was always gracious, and happy to see me. Debbie was sincerely interested in the lives and families of those around her. Our hearts here at EWTA go out to Jack, Keith, and their extend family and friends. Debbie’s customers loved her and we loved her. Rest well Debbie, we miss you..”

It seems difficult to know where to begin to express my experience, no my continuing experience, of the wonderful soul named Debbie.

Should I start, oh so many years ago, when I first heard of this lovely person working in my industry in Colorado when I managed a division of a major company? Maybe I begin when she smiled so kindly at me when I met her again many years later in Arizona? Or begin with our conversations of this past year, as we cried, had coffee and discussed the joys of this life, the whispers of connection and love to our family and friends? So many choices.

No, rather I think I’ll keep all of those in my heart. I think I’ll be a “little like Debbie”, that is private, at least with some of my thoughts and experiences.

Instead, I’ll remind all who knew her of her laughs, little ones with her head back and big ones bent over while grabbing her mouth to attempt to maintain some composure. She laughed. She smiled as with her whole being.

And for those that did not really know her I will tell you of hercompassion, her caring for others, her constant and soft spoken words of “how are you?”, “do you need anything?”, “may I help you?”.

You see, the Debbie I know, is so kind, so concerned with others, so private, so gentle, so silly, so detailed, and…..just so…..right, that no one experience, no one memory, no one expression, captures her in my “knowing” of her. She was so much, with so many attributes, so many mannerism all her own, that all I need to do is think of the kind places of life, the good things of life…and there I see her smile.

And while she will still shine in our memories, and watch over a loving husband and family, I know also she will always be smiling from those places. May God always bless you!

John Dwyer

During her youth our family moved from Colorado to Hawaii, then to Wyoming.

Colorado was always special, during her infant years she also lived in Silverton, and Durango Colorado.

1954 Casper, WY  Robin born

1955 back to

Colorado

Aurora 1955-1960 2391 Hanover St.

Littleton 1960-1972 6563 S. Steele St. , 7217 S. Sherman,  5665 S. Bannock

Denver: 1972- 1983 1155 S Monaco Pkwy, Denver, Co Lived together with Robin and Jim

Parker 1983- 2003
1989  married Jack

2003

Scottsdale 2003-2016

1960

Horse stories:

First and only Pony

Dad purchased Shetland Pinto pony “Prince” for Debbie in Littleton, boarded at Mr. Smith’s farm  (Orchard Road and University.)  She and Sue Wheeler were best friends and rode together with Sue’s Welsh pony named Tarbaby.

Second horse:  Clover, Buckskin Gelding

Third horse:  Bobby Sox, Sorrel mare with four white knee high markings

Fourth:  Charlie, Sorrel gelding

Fifth: Slim Pickins’, Retired stolen gelding Thoroughbred

First boyfriend, Rick Ruhland

High school sweethearts, Gary Lichtenwalter, Jim Wasinger (Car guy extraordinaire)

First job:  Mountain Bell 1970, telephone operator Downtown Denver

First car:  1953 /Chevy automatic Cherry red with white top two door, drove me and her to school every morning from Bannock street address to Isaac Newton and Arapahoe High.

Debbie and I both graduated from Littleton High School, 1970 and 1972 respectively.

Second car-  Triumph TR4A,  was built between 1965 and 1967, wrecked in accident on I-25 rear-ended by young woman without a license.

Third car- Black Chevy 1976 Corvette

Love,

Robin Faison her loving sister 

I was introduced by a friend to a white haired rather round looking chap on the golf course one day at Whisper Rock who would shortly become a dear friend, after several rounds of golf together and sharing maybe one or two cocktails he told me it was time I met his "better half".

I would shortly be introduced to Deb, as a realtor I was constantly contacted by lenders and Title people in the business looking to offer me their services on escrows. This was different, I could tell instantly upon meeting Deb that she just truly cared and understood the demands of the business. Deb had so much experience and was so aware that this was not a business you could "clock in and clock out".

On our first few escrows together as we weathered the highs and lows it was evident to me that Deb "had my back". We also began to joke tongue and cheek about how the business was "so easy", anybody in real estate understands that.

I appreciated how Deb could be so overwhelmed and slammed but would answer the phone like everything was peachy.....

As we worked many escrows over several years each call at 8am monday opening a deal or 4.54pm on friday trying to close a deal we were on the same page, "let"s take care of the client and get this done". I cannot count how many times Deb would comment, "I don't know how you do it, you are a rock star" , every time I would think you are handling more files and stress than I can possibly imagine.

I was at lunch yesterday with a client who has bought many luxury homes from me and spent a lifetime in real estate and I was telling him that Deb had passed thursday and is now in heaven. He said you know what she was a sweetheart and the best escrow officer I ever worked with.....

Deb became a lot more in the years that I was privileged to know her than a business affiliate or a contributor to the success of my business.

Deb became a dear friend, a lady with a huge heart who cared about me and my family, to this day my daughters favorite teddy is one given to her by Deb. I will miss our chat's about the business, you talking about how you are looking forward to a trip to Vegas with my buddy Jack or as we often joked "Johnny"

Most of all I am so happy that I was lucky enough to have been able to call you a friend, and shared a Miller Lite or two with you on this side of heaven.

You will be missed by many and if you choose to do any deals in heaven l pray that every escrow is a quick close cash....

God Bless You, your friend, Allan

 Allan J. MacDonald

Debbie was referred to me by Jon Sahnow, shortly after he landed at Empire West.  He had worked with me for years, before he left for Texas and knew my idiosyncrasies and playful personality.  I can honestly say, Debbie made real estate bearable, even when the going would get rough.  She was professional, knew her job and loved the laughter we could share when we had difficult transactions.  Debbie will always be my "Little Angel".
 
To help us get through closing (at the end of the day), I would bring in a six pack of "Hard Lemonade" for Debbie, Chandra,  Jim (I'll bet he never drank any) and of course Josh.   This was the least I could do, as Debbie always managed to get the job done.  Her smile and laughter made all the difference in the world, no matter where we were. I feel Debbie made me a better realtor. 
 
Please remember, Debbie's not gone.   She's now our "Guardian Angel" up in heaven.  She's the lucky one.  She now has her "Wings". 

"God BLess You My Friend".  You will be sorely missed. 

 Love you,

 Barb Reed

Debbie chose the title industry to make her mark in business. Her personality , work ethic , and desire to help others was a perfect fit for the title and escrow industry.  My wife, sweet Debbie, was always a giver and never a taker.

She started with US Life Title right out of high school. She began working at the order desk and was soon recognized for her abilities to deal with people and sense of urgency. Duella Murray recognized her talents and quickly recruited her into the escrow department. She became Debbie's mentor and she quickly became a one-of-a-kind escrow officer. She continued to grow  her escrow experience by spending 10 years at Land Title in Colorado and an additional 10 years at Security Title; all in the Parker, Castle Rock, and Elizabeth area. Her favorite boss was Tom Maroney who also greatly influenced Debbie's career. In 2003 she relocated to Arizona to be closer to her family. She worked for other title companies until she opened her own Title Company in 2008. She capitalized on her mortgage family relationships that were in the mortgage industry and they knew her abilities to deliver the service that was necessary for their combined success.  She decided to sell her title company to Empire West Title. Debbie enjoyed her personal relationships with the owner, John Dwyer, Bill Whit the president, and of course her Branch employees in Scottsdale.  She was growing the business in the direction ownership wanted and unfortunately her health became an issue. She was diagnosed in early December 2014 with terminal cancer which obviously ended her title career. In the remaining time she had left she enjoyed time with her husband Jack and they did whatever they wanted to do on whatever day they wanted to do it. 

Enjoy Debbie's Videos

https://goo.gl/photos/Gt2G7riYRwfiJjSE6