She has two older brothers: Gary Gilbertson and Lonnie Gilbertson, both of Portland, Oregon.
Debby grew up attending Catholic schools. Upon graduation from high school, she embarked on an adventure to Germany with her friend Agness. Returning from summer in Europe, she attended Dental Assistant School and was employed as a Dental Assistant for a year. She then attended the 2-year Nursing School program at Portland Community College and went onto a career as an ER-room nurse and OB/GYN advice nurse at Sunnyside Kaiser.
She met the love of her life Myron Clarence Snyder, and after a six month courtship they married August 7, 1979 in Reno, Nevada. This union lasted 39 years until Myron’s passing May 9, 2017. They were a united front and absolute soulmates.
Debby loved traveling, and had two further big trips with her church group and friends to Europe as well as two cruises with friend Kay. She also enjoyed traveling with Myron around the United States. They shared many adventures in the motorhome with friends and family, from camping the Oregon Coast and mountains to visiting South Dakota, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area, with their favorite trip the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Debby tremendously enjoyed gardening with Myron, tending her roses and hydrangeas, sewing, and quilting. Garage sales and antique stores were also activities she and Myron enjoyed. Debby loved reading books of all kinds, particularly a good mystery. She spent a lot of time on the boat while Myron fished. Debby always was an avid lover of animals, and supported the Humane Society. She loved attending theater, Broadway shows, and Lunch and Learns, as well as High Teas with friends.
Debby was a wonderful woman, full of love and compassion. She was gentle, kind, sweet, and generous. She had a deep faith in the Lord. Unable to have her own children, she loved Myron’s son Jeff and daughter Marjorie as if they were her own. Debby’s legacy is one of enduring love.
Debby was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Lucille Gilbertson, and is survived by her older brothers Gary Gilbertson of Portland, Oregon and Lonnie Gilbertson of Milwaukie, Oregon; her beloved nephews Dan Gilbertson of Salem, Oregon, and Kirk Gilbertson of Molalla, Oregon; son Jeff Snyder (Cheri) of Portland, Oregon, daughter Marjorie Dowell (Donovan) of Gilroy, California; grandchildren Branndon, Amanda, and Emily Snyder all, of Portland, Oregon; Great-grandchildren Annabella, Johnny, Echo, Mellody, Kelly, Syris, and Elijah. She is also survived by her loyal old cat Theo and Labradoodle Lucy. All of us miss her terribly.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Debby’s name to the American Humane Society would be very much appreciated.
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