Obituary, Debra McCormack, 60

Debra McCormack (nee Ferguson), 60, passed away in the comfort of her family on June 30, 2015 after a long fought battle with cancer.

She was born at Bishop Rowe Hospital in Wrangell, Alaska on October 23, 1954. She grew up and graduated from high school in Wrangell, Class of 1972. She attended college at the University of Oregon and University of Alaska Anchorage, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

She married Jim McCormack, who also grew up in Wrangell in 1981. The couple then made their home in Anchorage.

Debra made a career in Banking and Mortgage lending, having started in high school at the Wrangell branch of National Bank of Alaska. She continued her career in banking at NBA and a number of other local financial institutions in Anchorage, finishing her career as a loan originator at Residential Mortgage. She always strove to provide the best experience for each person and had many repeat clients, some of whom became friends.

Debra had a brush with breast cancer in 1987, taking her life focus in a new direction. She volunteered to transport cancer patients to and from their chemotherapy and radiology. She served on the Anchorage board of the American Cancer Society for many years in the 1990s. She also chaired the Cancer Society's "Daffodil Days" fundraiser for several years.

Debra was an avid collector and loved to "putter" in her gardens. She was the biggest sports fan in the family, remaining true to her Oregon Ducks despite having to live with a University of Washington Husky husband and son. She was also a loyal fan of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners, attending games when visiting Seattle. She always enjoyed a party and the company of friends and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her father, Thorne Ferguson, Sr.

She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Jim McCormack; her son, Kelly McCormack; her mother, Carol Ferguson; brother and sister-in-law, Thorne Jr. and Julie Ferguson; as well as her many aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters in law, cousins, nephews, and nieces in her extended Ferguson and McCormack families.

A celebration of life will be held at the Elks Club, Sat., July 2 at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that any donations be made to the American Cancer Society.