Miriam Fielding Debus

Miriam Fielding Debus, 83, of Albany Ave. died on Wednesday, November 21, 2007.
A child of the Depression and part of the Greatest Generation, Miriam's experiences as a witness to this most significant time in our history shaped this strong, generous woman. After her first husband died in the Pacific Theater, she subsequently married Richard C. Debus in 1948, and became the mother of baby boomers.
After the family settled in the Capital District in the 1950's, Miriam became involved with the faculty wives at Russell Sage College and with the Theater Department at the Averill Park High School, sewing some of the most beautiful and detailed costumes seen on a high school stage. After moving to Taborton in Sand Lake, she enjoyed all manners of homecrafts, from embroidery and folk art to canning and baking. Her eye for color and design turned their dilapidated farmhouse into a warm, beautiful home. She traveled extensively with her husband, and after his death in 1984, moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where she enjoyed an active life filled with garden clubs, bridge and canasta, bird watching and beachcombing.
In 1995, Miriam returned to the Capital District to help her daughter, Sandra, renovate one of Round Lake's Victorian cottages. In the ensuing 12 years, Miriam continued to travel, teach her children how to prepare all of her secret recipes, supervise the blossoming of a beautiful garden, and watch her grandchildren grow up.
Miriam was a witty yet determined woman who always had a song on her lips and a twinkle in her eye. She had a flair for decorating, a vigilant love of properly-spoken English and an affection for movies such as the Quiet Man and the Bells of Saint Mary. She had a love ofknowledge that was infectious and made her unbeatable at trivia games. Miriam was always engaging, entertaining and loving.
Miriam is survived by her children, Sandra Jeanne Debus of Round Lake, Jeffrey Richard Debus of Ballston Lake and Kimberley Grace Debus of Round Lake; and her grandchildren, Adam Jeffrey Debus and Rachel Debus Bode.
Miriam will be interred in a private graveside service next to her husband of Taborton Mountain.
To celebrate her love of beauty, history, and gardens, donations may be made in her memory to the Elizabethan Gardens, 1411 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954.