Debra Lynn Gaugier

Debra Lynn Gaugier, 65, passed away August 17, 2024, at her home, surrounded and comforted by her family.

Debra was born September 10, 1958, in Three Rivers, Michigan, to the late Charles and Karen Anable. Four years later, the family welcomed Debra’s beloved younger sister, Dianne. Debra grew up in Centreville, Michigan. She was a member of 4-H and enjoyed riding her ten-speed all over St. Joseph County. She was named Ms. Centreville in 1976, graduated high school, and moved to Kalamazoo to attend Western Michigan University.

It was in Kalamazoo that Debra began working at Carlos Murphy’s Restaurant as a waitress and met her husband, James (Jim) Gaugier. They met when Jim slipped on the floor Debra was mopping and fell, cutting his hand in the process; as Debra loved to say, “He fell for her.”

In June 1985, James and Debra welcomed their first child, Sara. Three years later, they welcomed their son, Mark, before moving into their home on Lincolnshire in Kalamazoo. The four would later move to Portage where Debra stayed home, lovingly raising their children through their early years. Debra would later take a job as a secretary with Kalamazoo public schools where she was referred to Mrs. G for over twenty years, until her retirement.

In 2016, Debra began welcoming her grandchildren: Otis, Caroline, Millie, Edith, and Charlie. Debra would spend the next eight years loving and spoiling her grandchildren every chance she got. Whether it was attending sporting events, babysitting, taking them on vacations or spending time at Lake Miramichi, Debra took every moment she could to create memories her grandchildren will never forget.

Debra is survived by her husband of 40 years, James William Gaugier; children, Sara (Travis) Houghton, Mark (Ally) Gaugier; grandchildren, Otis, Millie, and Edith Gaugier, Caroline and Charlie Houghton; sister, Dianne (Scott) Weiderman; as well as many cherished in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and close friends. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

The family will celebrate Debra’s life with a visitation on August 27, 2024, from 3 pm to 7 pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. A memorial mass will be held August 28, 2024, at 11 am, with a visitation at 10 am, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 5855 W Ave E, Vicksburg, MI 49097. Lunch will follow.