Debi Wagner

Debra Kay Wagner 

07/22/1958 – 12/21/2020

Like the sun’s first rays touching the beaches and mountains where she loved to camp, Debi brought light and warmth to every room she entered. Kind, caring, positive, supportive – Debi lifted up her friends and family with an unfettered optimism, even during hard times of her own. Debi never failed to share her natural smile and irresistible laugh, drawing people in like a welcome embrace.

From her artfully arranged tile mosaics to her lush backyard garden blooming with plumerias, Debi’s creativity added extra beauty to the world around her. She will bring continued joy to her family through her creations – a colorfully tiled planter on her Aunt Jane’s porch, memories of cleverly sewn Halloween costumes for her son, Rob, and delicious recipes passed on to daughter-in-law, Heather.

Debi’s kindness extended to her dogs – Scrapps, a stray rescued on a trip to Mexico, and Augie. Her pups were as devoted to her as she was to them, enjoying regular walks on the beach together.

As a young girl, Debi developed a love for the outdoors wandering through the woods near her grandparents’ lake cabin in Pennsylvania. That love of nature stuck and blossomed during her life in Southern California. She found her happy place while camping, first in northern and southern Baja, then in the mountains near San Diego and the Anza Borrego desert. Introducing her grandson, Robbie, to a favorite camping spot not long after his birth was one of her most treasured camping experiences.

Debi was a doting grandmother to Robbie, showing him off to friends any chance she had. Being a loving grandmother came naturally to this stellar mom. Debi took deep pride in raising a self-reliant son, while cheering him on at little league, water polo, basketball, and swimming events.

Debi leaves behind family and friends who will do their best to remember her encouragement to “Look around – life is good!” – most notably, her greatest loves – son, Rob Burrus, his wife Heather and grandson Robbie. She will be deeply missed by her sisters Lynne Scafa and Patricia Wagner, and nieces Kayla, Courtney and Shawnna. Aunt Jane McConnell, for whom Debi was like a third daughter, as well as cousins, Jennifer McConnell Schoonen and Janice McConnell, hope to live up to Debi’s model as a thoughtful and loving family caretaker.

Next to family, Debi found enormous joy and peace in a remote camp spot, marveling at the night sky. In the quiet of a moonlit night beneath the magic of sparkling stars, Debi’s family hopes you’ll find inspiring reminders of her life well-lived.