Complied by Chuck Mencke DTM (on behalf of Colleyville Toastmasters)
For those of you that have not heard, we lost one of our dear District 25 members, Deborah Peterson, suddenly on Labor Day, September 4, 2023. Deb was a member of Colleyville Toastmasters, Off the Cuff, and Out on the Town. Her memorial service will be held Friday, September 15, 2023, at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, 5725 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville, TX 76034. Her service will be held from 4:00pm-5:00pm with a reception from 5:00pm-7:00pm afterwards. All of us at District 25 are grieving her passing. We’ve lost a precious vibrant and creative District 25 member. Please keep her four daughters uplifted in your thoughts.
This life we lead is very fragile, tomorrow is never guaranteed. The following Dr. Seuss quote comes to mind when thinking about my friendship with Deb. “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” I will always cherish the moments I shared with Deb in the two clubs we were both members.
Deborah Peterson’s Obituary
Dr. Deborah Cheryle Peterson, age 66, passed away on September 4, 2023. In life, Deb was married to Captain Richard Lynn Peterson for 33 years, during which time they raised four daughters: Heather Leona, Erica “Ricki” Lyn, Nancy Mariah, and Helen Jean “Nicki.” She dearly loved her son-in-law, Adam, and her grandson, Arthur. Over the course of her life, she also cared for many pets, including dogs, cats, horses, goats, and her favorite cockatiel bird, Zorro.
Deb was born in Fort Worth, Texas on November 8, 1956, to James and Nannie Clay. She had three siblings: older sisters Rita and Jimmie, and younger brother J.R. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Deb would eventually return to college to further her education in psychology, completing a Master’s degree at The University of Texas at Tyler and a Ph.D. at Argosy University in Dallas. She used her knowledge to care for many kinds of people, from her work as a school psychologist with elementary-age children in Oak Cliff to her work with geriatric patients in assisted living facilities in Athens.
For more than 20 years, she flew her hot air balloons annually at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta as well as many other ballooning events. She enjoyed Albuquerque so much that she eventually purchased a home there with her daughter Mariah, also an active balloon pilot. Deb made many friendships in the ballooning community and among crew members whom she knew for years.
Deb was active in Toastmasters International clubs beginning in 2016, and at the time of her passing was a member of the groups Colleyville Toastmasters, Out on the Town, and Off the Cuff. In this capacity, she gave speeches, promoted club membership, and served as a judge for speaking contests. She held club officer positions including President, Vice President of Membership, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant at Arms.
Deb’s greatest passion was world travel. She especially enjoyed cruises, which took her to the Caribbean, Alaska, Italy, and Ecuador. She took many trips with husband Rick, an airline pilot, visiting global cities including Buenos Aires, Mexico City, and London. When Rick retired from his airline career and took a summer job flying brown bear tours in Alaska’s Katmai National Park, Deb went to join him for a week of adventures. In travels with her daughters, she cruised to Antarctica with Leona, went on safari with Ricki in South Africa, and toured the catacombs in Lima, Peru with Nicki and Rick.
Deb is survived by her daughters, son-in-law, grandson, siblings, nieces and nephews, and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and grandson Conan. She will be fondly remembered.
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| Deb and her husband Richard in Alaska | An early image of Deb | Deb at the 2023 TI Convention volunteering |
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| Joint meeting August 2023 of Off the Cuff and Out on the Town (Deb is near the back on the right) |
Before I move to the memories and recollections of Deb, I want to share a poem that one of our Colleyville Toastmasters members, Lynzy Slezak, penned after hearing of Deb’s passing. Lynzy is a published poet and an incredible master of words and emotions.
As she met death on the road
Two paths in the trees
One less traveled by
She looked up and asked if she could take that road
May she just have one more life
She was delightful
For she filled the world with stories
Writing new fairy tales
For the children yet unborn
Leaving her soul as a gift
So they might believe in fairies and angels
In darkness and light
In magic amongst the stars
Even on their darkest night
If she feels pain it means she has loved
And if she is patient she will love again
Pain does not mean the end of happiness
It only means change
As this chapter ends
She wore her courage
All through life
So that when it came to an end
There still was her crown
A queen till the very end
From Diana Patton (on behalf of Out on the Town):
Deb was a notable addition to Out on the Town when she joined the club in June 2023. Our paths crossed through Colleyville Toastmasters before she joined Out on the Town. During her speeches, table topic responses and nice conversations I was amazed at her adventures. She lived life to the fullest which included Toastmasters. She even volunteered at the 2023 Toastmasters International convention in the Bahamas. I loved watching her on the dance floor at the 2023 D25 Conference on Friday evening. She was ready to learn new and exciting things. I’ll miss her as a strong member of our club but more importantly I’ll miss her spirit.
From Kimberly Martin (on behalf of Off the Cuff):
Deb Peterson was an energetic member of Off the Cuff Toastmasters. She was a bright light for our club who inspired us with stories about her adventurous travels and life lessons learned while raising her family. She was quick to say “yes” and helped keep us on task with her can-do attitude. Deb was interested in peoples’ stories and asked questions that made us reflect and grow— all while keeping us laughing. She reminded us to live a fulfilling life today and not wait to do what matters. She will be missed beyond measure and remembered fondly.
From David Martin (on behalf of Off the Cuff):
When Deb spoke at our last few meetings, she inspired us with stories about adventurous travel and lessons she learned while raising three daughters. She was a get-it-done type of person who lived a purpose-driven life. Her enthusiasm was infectious. Deb and her energetic spirit will be missed by all.
From Indu Dhannasingham (on behalf of Colleyville Toastmasters):
My association with Deb was only during the TM meetings for the past few months. It left a long-lasting memory of her … I always looked forward to hearing her views and ideas on various topics. I found her to be a very versatile person, who played all the different roles to a ‘ T ‘. I loved her evaluations. It was so educative and informative… for beginners like me, it was very encouraging and helped boost our self-confidence. She was critical in a kind way. In a nutshell … an AWESOME PERSON.
Brienna Becker (on behalf of Colleyville Toastmasters):
In one meeting, where we talk about the sky when I was Table Topics Master, Deb shared how she was a hot air balloon pilot. After she spoke, Jim said I would like to read Deb’s biography, she has so many interesting stories. I remember that often. I thought the same about her. I selfishly am mad that I didn’t get to read it and get to know her more.
