Cover photo for Deborah Josephine (Foote) Scogin's Obituary
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1952 Deborah 2016

Deborah Josephine (Foote) Scogin

December 11, 1952 — April 16, 2016

SCOGIN, Deborah Josephine (Foote)
Portage, MI

Age 63, passed away peacefully in her home on April 16, 2016 with her family by her side after a courageous battle with cancer. Debby was born in Pekin, IL on December 11, 1952. In her professional life she was a dedicated and caring teacher, but her favorite job was being a mom. She and her husband of 38 years, Dr. Duane Allen Scogin who passed away in 2013, were the proud parents of four children. Debby earned a Bachelor's Degree from Illinois State University in 1975 and a Master's Degree in Education Administration and Curriculum Development from the University of Illinois in 1981. She taught middle school science in Leroy, IL for four years. Later Debby worked in adult education teaching basic literacy and science to employees of General Motors in Kalamazoo, MI. Most recently, she worked for Allegan Area Educational Service Agency where she developed and taught high school curriculum and other life skills for young, single parents. When she was not working full time, she was either substitute teaching or volunteer tutoring. She was known by her students for how much she cared for them on a deeply personal level - visiting them in the hospital or giving them rides to class. She had a heart for those who fell outside the traditional education system, and her service to those who might have otherwise been on the fringes, made the world she leaves behind a better place. The legacy, however, that Debby was most proud of was her work as a mother, which she described as her "dream job". Nothing brought her more joy than time spent with her kids, and she lived everyday with gratitude that God had blessed her with the opportunity to serve him through motherhood. In more recent years, she particularly treasured her role as a grandmother. She spent as much time with her grandkids as she could, cherishing every chance to make cookies, play games, host a tea party or visit the zoo. In all things she was motivated by her faith in God, believing that her purpose in life was to reflect Christ's love to others. She was a member of Threads Church in Kalamazoo and had hosted a Bible Study in her home for more than 25 years. She and her husband also served as youth group leaders at Threads Church. Surviving are her four children, Matthew (Sarah) Scogin of New York, NY, Timothy (Jennifer) Scogin of Detroit, Alice (Carman) Goodrich of Kalamazoo, and Samuel Scogin of Kalamazoo; four grandchildren, Sophie, Lucy, Oliver and Gideon; her sister Leslie (David) Begnoche of Portage; dear family friend Cindy Stiles of Portage; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband Duane Scogin (2013), her parents Newana Foote (2001) and Lester Foote (2004); her brother David Foote (2001) and nephew Drew Foote (2001). Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 21, at First Reformed Church, 7905 S. Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002. Interment will follow at Portage Central Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, April 20 from 6-8 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Westside Chapel, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be directed to STAR Family Literacy (a program of Allegan Area Educational Service Agency).

**MEMORIALS**

STAR Family Literacy
c/o Allegan Area Educational Service Agency
310 Thomas St.
Allegan, MI 49010
269-673-2161
www.alleganaesa.org


Visitation

APR 20. 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Langeland Family Funeral Homes - Westside Chapel
3926 S. 9th St.
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49009

Service

APR 21. 11:00 AM

First Reformed Church of Portage
7905 S. Westnedge
Portage, MI, US, 49002

Interment

APR 21

Portage Central Cemetery
South Westnedge at Shaver Rd.
Portage, MI, US
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Deborah Josephine (Foote) Scogin, please visit our flower store.

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