Debra Lynnette Weygandt

Debra L. Weygandt, 57, of Albany passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, Sept. 11, at Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House following a short battle with cancer.
Debbie was born on Nov. 28, 1958, in Albany, the daughter of Don and Diane (Walden) Meader. She attended Albany schools, graduating from South Albany High School in 1977. Some of her favorite memories were of performing on the Southern Belles dance team with her friends.
She became ill with Crohn's disease as a teenager and was plagued with health issues throughout her life, but she endured and thrived in spite of her medical problems.
She worked as a cashier at many restaurants and businesses through the years, including Mary Anna Bakery and Sizzler Family Steak House where she met her husband, Steve.
They were married on Sept. 20, 1983, in Albany and immediately moved to Jacksonville, North Carolina, where Steve served in the Marine Corps. They had many travels and adventures during their time on the East coast, eventually settling back in Albany after their time in the military was complete.
In 1990, they were blessed with their only child, Becky, her parent's pride and joy. Debbie was a loving and devoted mother and considered raising her daughter to be the greatest achievement and contribution of her life.
Although Debbie and Steve eventually went their separate ways after 32 years of marriage, their strong bond of affection, respect and friendship endured and kept them very close until the end.
Debbie loved animals, especially the many cats that owned her heart through the years. But her favorite companion of all was her faithful dog, Ruffles, who passed away in her arms a few short years ago.
She loved to travel, and spent a lot of time with her family relaxing, camping, boating and fishing at the coast or in the beautiful mountains of Oregon that she loved. She was especially fond of Clear Lake where she spent many memorable and happy days as a child and as an adult enjoying the serenity and beauty of that place.
She was passionate about the same '65 Ford Mustang that she had owned twice in her lifetime. She vowed that, given the opportunity, she would find it and purchase it again and relive all the good times associated with that car.
Her many hobbies included cross-stitch, word puzzles, cooking and collecting miniatures, and she loved anything with butterflies on it which was evident throughout her home.
Debbie will always be remembered by her friends and family for her sweet, kind and bubbly personality. She had an amazing sense of humor and a way of putting a smile on everyone's face. She made friends easily and kept them for a lifetime.
She loved and embraced this life, but she wanted it to be known that she was happy to be going to her eternal home in heaven where she could reunite with loved ones, especially her mother and her older brother, Donnie Meader, who preceded her in death,
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Eric Nicolarsen of Monmouth; former husband, Steve Weygandt of Albany; father and step-mother Don and Norma Meader of Albany; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Oak Creek Christian Center, 5775 Columbus St. S.E., Albany. Debbie's final request was that some of her ashes be scattered near Clear Lake in the Oregon Cascades.
Contributions in her memory may be made in care of AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home to help with her final expenses or to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in Albany.