Trixie, Debra Dawn Reyes

November 10, 1958 – July 10, 2022

Known by her loved ones as Trixie, Debra Dawn Reyes was a caring wife, mother, sister, and friend. Debra passed on to glory to be with the Lord, her son Andrew Robert, and other loved ones on July 10, 2022 surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of her home in Milwaukie, Oregon at the age of 63. She is survived by her loving daughter, Cameron Dawn Reyes Salvey, and husband Paul L. Reyes.

Debra was born to loving parents Naomi Kathleen Smith Lynch and John Perry Lynch in Seattle, Washington on November 10, 1958. Debra was the oldest of four siblings, survived by Nancy Lynch, Perry Lynch, and Sandra Lynch Call.

She married Paul L. Reyes on October 7, 1978 in Multnomah County. They had two children, daughter Cameron Dawn Reyes Salvey and son Andrew Robert Reyes who preceded Debra to be with the Lord. Debra was blessed with two grandsons whom she adored, Lukas Andrew and Emmet Cameron.

Debra worked as a Diet Tech at Emanuel Hospital for nine years until stepping away for medical reasons. She then became a Nail Technician, which she enjoyed for 26 years alongside some of her dearest friends until retiring due to cancer progression in 2019.

Debra was loved by all she encountered. She had a special bond with those she called her “peeps,” an extraordinary and select group of women: Barbra Beseda, Jill Clutter, and Teresa Zack. The four of them had a unique and unconditional love for each other that defies description.

Travel was one of Debra’s loves; Maui, Las Vegas, Puerto Vallarta, and Palm Desert were among her favorite destinations. She loved to play cards and games with her family and friends. She shared her terrific sense of humor liberally, bringing warmth and a smile to any room. Debra loved animals of all kinds but her Basset Hound Katie Jo and PBGV Murphy were her favorites.

Debra’s love for Christ and belief in redemption and salvation through Him was important throughout her life and the promise of eternal life through Christ’s blood gave her comfort in those final days. Jesus’s grace definitely shined through her; she never had a bad thing to say about anyone and was always helping those in need.

Debra fought a fierce battle with leiomyosarcoma cancer. Those close to her know what a fighter she was. Diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder, at the early age of eighteen, she braved medical adversity that few could have endured.

A special thank you to Dr. Alisha Saultz for her tireless search to find the source of Debra’s hip pain, ultimately diagnosing her cancer when others had failed. Dr. Saultz went above and beyond and helped Debra and her family to the very end. We are eternally grateful to Debra’s hospice team, family, and friends that came to help when her condition was at its worst.

There will be a Celebration of Life for family and friends on August 13, 2022 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Happy Valley, Oregon at 11:00 AM. This will be a time to share stories and pictures of Debra, reflect on our time with her, and comfort one another. A private graveside internment will be held at Willamette National Cemetery for family.

We invite you to make a donation to the Sarcoma Foundation of America in Debra’s honor at https://www.curesarcoma.org/donate/ in lieu of sending flowers.