Debra Eilene White

Debra “Debbie” Eilene White (Blessing), age 64, loving mother of two, grandmother of ten, great grandmother of one, and wife for 46 years to husband Wayne White, went to be with her Lord on July 4th, 2022. Surrounded by her husband, Wayne, and her girls, Allison, Clarissa and Gabrielle, she peacefully took her last breaths. The heavens were filled with a glorious display of fireworks as the angels celebrated the homecoming of another saint. Debbie was a patriot, and would have loved that. Debbie was born June 13th, 1958 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to parents Frederick Tracy Blessing and Josephine Annette “Joanne” Blessing (maiden: Yount, later married name: Bemis). She grew up with two older sisters, Theresa (Snyder) and Kathy (Woodland), and one older brother Fred (Blessing). She was a surprise baby, the joy of her father. She spent most of her childhood years living in Sandpoint and Spokane Valley. Debbie grew close to her sisters and brother through her adult years. She especially enjoyed holiday get-togethers and her getaways with her sisters and mother. Their times were full of laughter and many special memories. Debbie met Wayne by chance when she was 15. Mutual friends (led by God) introduced them, then stranded them together. With cards and lots of time on their hands, they decided to play poker. After several enjoyable hours Debbie remained unbeatable, until Wayne discovered that she had been hiding cards. It didn’t matter, it was too late. They were in love. After three long years of dating long distance, they married on August 14th, 1976. Debbie and Wayne raised their daughters Allison (Anderton), and Clarissa (Wilson) in Hayden, Idaho. In 2001 Debbie was blessed to become a young grandmother to Gabrielle, Allison’s first daughter. She enjoyed spending a great amount of time with Gabrielle, and treated her much as her own daughter, but with a few more shenanigans. She was a loving mother, always cheering on and encouraging her girls through their various pursuits and hardships. She always had an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, and always, great big hugs. Through thick and thin, she was always there for her girls. Once her little girls were both in school, Debbie went to nursing school and earned her degree as an RN. She worked in various medical settings over the years including Pine Wood Care Center, Asthma and Allergy of North Idaho, Life Care Center, and the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest. She earned a reputation with her coworkers and patients as being a joyful, kind, encouraging, and dependable worker. She retired in 2021, but still kept many close friendships with coworkers. Debbie enjoyed many hobbies over the years, including pitching on a softball team, crafts, sewing, decorating, remodeling, and her favorite hobby: gardening. She would often take visitors on a tour of her beautiful flower gardens and was able to say the name of every flower and plant. She loved the outdoors and was happiest when her hands were in the dirt. Debbie loved God and was a devout Evangelical Christian. If she told you that she would pray for you, she would—every day, by name. She prayed for her loved ones twice every day, and enjoyed attending church and singing praises. Her favorite verses were “Be still and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10) and “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still,” (Exodus 14:14). Debbie was a kind, big hearted, fun loving, easy going friend to many. She was a champion of those who were looked down upon because of their status in life. She was a defender of the voiceless and protector of the innocent. Her smile, laughter, and love will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Though she was often fashionably late to events, she has beat us all to our heavenly home. She was at peace with her early departure because of the security she found in her faith. Debbie would encourage everyone to seek and find that the Lord is good. There will be a memorial service, with fellowship and refreshments to follow, on August 20th, at 2pm at Anthem Hayden Church 251 West Miles Avenue, Hayden, ID 83835. Please come to remember and celebrate her life with us.