Debbie went to be with our Lord and Savior on Monday, September 6th, 2021. Debbie was born on March 2nd, 1952 in Tonasket, Washington. She was the oldest of four children born to Lloyd and Doris Hughes. Debbie grew up in Oroville, Washington next to Osoyoos Lake and enjoyed swimming, skating, sledding and camping. She attended Washington State University and graduated with a degree in Education in 1974. Debbie began her teaching career in 1980 at Linwood Elementary School in Spokane, Washington. She taught first grade at Linwood for 39 years. Debbie loved children and teaching first grade. At school she chaired an active social committee, was Queen Bee of the annual Spelling Bee and will always be remembered for riding a saddled library cart into the lunchroom at high noon on Western Day with cap guns blazing, robbing the cash box from the lunchroom clerk and escaping with the cash and often a pan of brownies.

Debbie married Steve Dunham in 1980 and they have lived in the home they built together for 37 years. Debbie liked to garden, grow flowers, hike with Punkin dog, play games, sing and play the piano. Debbie accepted Jesus as her Savior at a young age and shared her faith every day through her actions, her words, her love for others and her friendly smile. Debbie had a great sense of humor, loved to kid and joke around with people and was just fun to be around. She loved to take friends and family for rides in her convertible for ice cream, to Manito Park, the Rosarium for flowers, or longer trips around the area.

Debbie enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. We spent many spring vacations at sister Karens riding the ferries, taking in the tulip festival and visiting all the tourist sites around Seattle. Debbie had a great love for her family, husband Steve, son Matthew (Danielle), daughter Melissa, sister Karen (Jeff) Dean, brothers Glen (Kathy) Hughes and Jack (Mary) Hughes, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, granddaughter Bella Marie, her students and many friends. A memorial service celebrating Debbie's life will be held on Saturday , October 2nd at 11am at Suncrest Family Worship Center 6048 Hwy 291. If you can't attend and would like to join the service virtually go to https://youtu.be/K7FY-EFSklQ. To view and sign Debbie's online guestbook, please visit www.lauerfuneral.com

Deer Park's Lauer Funeral Home

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Published by Spokesman-Review from Sep. 22 to Sep. 26, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Debbie DUNHAM

5 Entries

Mike C

May 8, 2024

Mrs. Dunham was my first and second grade teacher at Linwood Elementary school. Although my memory is fuzzy about those times, it being so long ago, I do remember the way she made me and the whole class feel important, welcomed, and excited.
She was a gift and a blessing to me, and I´m sure it to many others who had the luck to have her as their teacher.
May you rest in peace. Thank you for everything you did. Taking care of young children the way you were able to is a gift and and I am glad I was able to receive that gift from you.

Kirk Vitulli

September 26, 2021

So sad to see Debbie gone at such a young age. My kids loved her when they went to Linwood ! A great loss to all of us!

I see moss growing in the cracks in the window frame . What is the best way

September 25, 2021

Debbie was a friend and mentor during the 20 years we spent at Linwood. I shall miss her sense of humor. prayers to Matthew, Melissa ans Steve.

Amanda Knight (Hutchinson)

September 23, 2021

It's rare to meet a teacher that touches your life so much that she becomes part of your heart forever. I was lucky enough to get to be Debbie's "daughter" for a week while my parents were out of town, I got to stay with her and Steve and Punkin. It is still my favorite memory from Elementary school. Punkin always grabbed my shoelaces and pulled, throwing me to the ground. Debbie was always there to dust me off. She even made sure to not miss my wedding years later. Once again she was one of the most important people there to me. I will always love you Mrs. Dunham. Everyone of my kids teachers are compared to you.

Dwain Bender

September 23, 2021

I always remember the beautiful smile that Debbie possessed, she was so pleasant to be around and she will be missed by so many.

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