Debra Miles

MADISON- Debra Miles, age 58, of Madison, passed away Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017.  Debra touched everyone she met and along the way and taught them how to love.   Debbie came into a large and growing family when Helen Dery Woodson was awarded guardianship.  She had many brothers and sisters including David, Ethan, Sue, Michael, Sarah, and Steve “Jeremy”.  Debbie came to Helen from an elderly woman in Milwaukee who could no longer care for her.  Debbie remained in Helens ward, although not an adoption, at the request of her parents who maintained their relationship with Debbie over the years.  The first time Mary Beth Schlagheck met Debbie was at a meeting with Debbie’s foster parent and guardian, at a coffee shop in downtown Madison.  Debbie was very quiet but observant.  In the early morning of November 12, 1984, Helen disarmed the Minuteman II nuclear warhead N-5 missile silo adjacent to Kansas City, Missouri, and never returned home.  It was at that time that Debbie looked at Mary Beth and whispered “You Mom Now?”  Jim Schlagheck, Mary Beth’s late husband, assumed Debbie’s legal guardianship in March of 1991.  Debbie had since moved into her new living situation with Creative Community Living Services in July of 1989 under the capable hands of her Case Manager and later Support Broker, Kate Graf.  Following Jim’s death in November of 1997, Christine Reichelderfer assumed guardianship, and following Kate’s retirement, Heidi Rossiter took on the role of Debbie’s Support Broker. In her early years Debbie was a professed scribe of all matter of texts.  She was an avid 500 piece puzzle master, artisan re-creator of numerous coloring books, and understood some sign language.  Debbie was always a favorite “big sister” to her Woodson family and a dear and close friend to their house parents.  Debbie and her Woodson family attended St. Paul’s University Catholic Center where Debbie was a Eucharistic cup minister.  Following her move from Spruce St. she bussed to church independently from her new home on Jenifer St.  She enjoyed going to Easter Seals Camp in Wisconsin Dells, weekend stays at the Holiday House in Sturgeon Bay, Miles family reunions in Pardeeville, flying to Michigan to spend holidays with her Miles family, participating in activities at the YMCA, weekends at the Caribbean Club Resort and camping at the “Y”.  Debbie has always enjoyed the company of her roommates, and sisters Sue and Brenda and the weeks highlight of dining out!  Debbie loved receiving many greeting cards and first from her parents, Lois Miles and Ron and Frieda Miles, and even more when she was no longer able to visit them Debbie worked at Goodwill Industries VOICE Program, McDonald’s, and was a faithful office volunteer with her friend Bonnie Urfer at Nukewatch in downtown Madison.  She was closely allied with the Waisman Venter for Interpreter and Adaptive Services Trace Center for many years and proudly showed off her communication book whenever asked.  Debbie also worked at Ground Zero Coffee for over seven years and in the Aberg Ave. Copps bakery for over 15 years.  She was truly an amazing woman.  In more recent years, as Debbie began to slow down, it became apparent that she would need hospice care.  It was arranged so she could receive care in her own home.  Upon any visit to Debbie’s home, one could see that she was cared for in a gentle and caring way.  Among her many loyal caregivers, Mary Jacobs and Janet Abitz of Goodwill provided many years of dedicated support for Debbie, especially as she progressed through those early and middle stages of her illness. A memorial service will be held at CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 944 East Gorman St. Madison, at 5pm on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.comGunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care5203 Monona Drive       608-221-5420