Deborah Garrett

Garrett, Deborah S. MADISON/GAINESVILLE, FLA.-Deborah S. Garrett, age 50, passed away quietly in her sleep on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009. She was born on Feb. 7, 1959, in Ames, Iowa, to John "Jack" and June (Anderson) Garrett. Deborah graduated from Madison La Follette High School in 1977 and UW-Whitewater in 1989 with a degree in public safety and loss control. After graduation, she worked in Gainesville, Fla. for Alachua County as risk manager. While in Florida, Deborah was very active with the American Red Cross. She moved back to Wisconsin and worked as a claims manager for Wisconsin Municipal Mutual Insurance Corp. Deborah also worked a variety of other jobs that sparked her interest. She married her high school sweetheart, Michael Stewart on March 17, 2007, in Madison. Deborah enjoyed horses as a young girl, working in theater, sewing, decorating, cooking, baking wedding and novelty cakes, riding her motorcycle, and traveling, especially taking cruises. She is survived by her husband, Mike Stewart; her father, John "Jack" (Janet) Garrett of Florida; step children, Megan, Krista and Tyler Stewart; sister-in-law, Amy Garrett of Florida; parents-in-law, Terrance and Therese Stewart of Madison; brothers-in-law, Pat (Phyllis) Stewart of Ozark, Mo., and Tom Stewart of Madison; sister-in-law, Ann Stewart of Madison; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Deborah was preceded in death by her mother; and brother, Paul. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, 2009. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., scripture service will be recited at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, and at the church, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross Disaster Fund.