Deborah Sarah Day

Deborah Sarah Day passed away on May 7, 2024 following a long and valiant battle with cancer. She was born in Tacoma WA on March 9, 1948 to Hollis and Uwarda Day. She grew up in Lakewood, WA and spent her childhood riding horses and going on family vacations to Sun Valley and Hawaii. Debbie attended the Annie Wright School in Tacoma through the 11th grade, and graduated from the American School in Switzerland in 1966. She then spent 4 years at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, receiving a degree in Art and Art History in 1970.

Debbie moved to Sun Valley, ID where she built a house and lived with her dog Sadie, who was her companion for 15 years. She connected with the outdoor and artist communities there while pursuing her love of winter sports. She worked in bookstores, resort businesses, and followed her muses in fine art. She eventually moved to Portland OR, where she lived for the remainder of her life.

Debbie was an artist whose talent took many forms, from jewelry making in college to photography and oil painting. She worked as a graphic artist and wrote children's stories for publication. She gained extensive knowledge of NW native flora from her mother, expanding it to include desert habitats. Debbie loved hiking and exploring the indigenous cultures of the American SW. She used her photographs of petroglyphs as the canvas for large format oil paintings which she exhibited in Portland Galleries.

The travel that her parents introduced to her at a young age continued throughout her life. An intrepid adventurer, Debbie embarked on numerous trips to less popular destinations, including Iran, Ethiopia, Israel, Jordan, Libya, Burkina-Faso, Mali, Uganda, Burma, Bali, and treks in Nepal and Peru. She and her son, Carson, traveled to China, Egypt, Japan, New Zealand, Ireland and continental Europe. They took annual winter ski trips to Sun Valley where he learned downhill, and vacationed in Hawaii where he got his scuba diving certification. That led the two of them to an exotic dive trip in the Philippine Islands.

Debbie was an excellent travel photographer. She combined that skill and her interest in different cultures to produce many outstanding travelog volumes. It was important for her to share her travels because she experienced travel in a way most of us can't. She absorbed the sights and sounds and was able to capture the visuals with a camera always aimed at the right place. See Debbie's photos on IG @sunnida1

Debbie's connection to nature, love of the outdoors and exercise was a constant in her life. Daily visits to the gym were a constant and the Columbia River Gorge was her mainstay for regular hikes. Many of her friendships were founded on a mutual love of hiking and travel.

When she wasn't traveling, Debbie spent untold hours at the cinema. She loved going to the movies and eating theater popcorn! She could be a brutal critic. She was an avid reader and spent time at home with her cats, reading books, and watching TV. Among her favorite shows were Survivor, The Amazing Race, and the Hallmark Channel.

Above all, Debbie was a devoted mother to her two sons and the definition of unconditional love. She is survived by her beloved son, Carson A Berreth, and sister Tracy Stearns (James).

She is preceded in death by her first son Dylan Berreth-Day, her parents, and her brother Hollis Day IV. She leaves behind scattered cousins and many devoted friends. We are in awe of her ability to "rally" and get through the multiple trials of cancer treatment. She handled her illness with grace and strength and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.