Debra Kay McFadden

December 6th, 1952 - April 16th, 2023

A remarkable life of family, public service, love of music, travel and faith; Debra was born December 6th , 1952 in Sacramento California to Frank Marion Wyatt and his wife Myrtle Emily Branch Wyatt. Debra was the youngest of 3 children, both parents and brothers, Larry and Patrick preceded her in death. The family lived in California, and Debra grew up in the Sacramento, Paso Robles, Atascadero, and Fresno areas. Like many young people in California, she had fond memories of attending Disneyland where she attended concerts by the Beach Boys, the Beatles and other musical groups. While on the family ranch, she also watched the filming of the television show Rawhide staring Clint Eastwood.

September 7, 1974 wedding photo

NOTE: Click on photos to view their captions.

In 1970, her father retired and moved the family to Klamath Falls, Oregon, where Debra completed her senior year of high school at Klamath Union. 

The following year, she started attending Southern Oregon College (SOC) now known as Southern Oregon State University, as a Music major. As she had before college, she sang in many school concerts and plays, and became Head Resident of “Diamond Hall”, the music dormitory for music major students. During her last 2 years, she switched her major course of study to Psychology, retaining a Music minor. In 1974, she married David McFadden of Medford.

After completing her degree, Debra became the Southern Oregon representative for the Oregon Lung Association. In this position she worked to bring public awareness to the importance of clean air and health, and also conducted many activities to help children suffering from chronic asthma and other lung ailments. In 1979 Debra gave birth to their son, Peter McFadden. Debra then worked several years for the Western Oregon Health Planning Agency, a quasi-governmental agency charged with recommending and implementing improvements to local hospitals and health care in Southern Oregon counties.

 Debra and David were members of the Rogue Valley Chorale, and performed locally, as well as traveling with the Chorale to Scandinavia, Northern Italy and to Carnegie Hall in New York City. For many summers they also sang and performed at the Lake Chelan, WA, Summer Classical Music Festival, and traveled with a group of Oregon Episcopalians to sing in the National Cathedral and other churches in the Washington DC area.

Debra attended St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Medford where she was active in the Choir and Vestry, and served many years as a Parish Representative from St. Marks to the Episcopal Diocese of Western Oregon’s annual conventions. She also served on various Diocesan committees.

Debra passed away with David by her side April 16th.  Her service of Remembrance and Christian Hope was held on Friday, June 16th, 2023 at 1:00pm at St. Marks Episcopal Church 140 N Oakdale in Medford, Oregon.

It is recommended that donations were to be sent to either St. Marks, the Rogue Valley Chorale, SOSU Foundation, Asante Foundation, or Hidden Heaven Senior Care Home. The family would like to commend the staffs at Asante Rogue Medical Center, their Hospice Department and Hidden Heaven for their generous care over the past few months.

"Pie Jesu" from Requim by Andrew Lloyd Wright was one of Debra's favorites. 
CLICK HERE to hear it on YouTube.