Debra Stevens (Bixby)
May 5, 1954 – August 5, 2025
A fiercely independent and hardworking woman whose life was rooted in the land and sea, Debra passed away peacefully at home in Sequim, Washington, after a short and courageous fight with cancer, at age 71.
Debra was born on May 5, 1954, in Kirkland, WA. She spent her early years in Kenmore and Snohomish before settling in Sequim 12 years ago to be closer to family. There, she built a strong network of friendships and lived out her retirement doing what she loved most: teaching others how to garden, grow food, and live sustainably.
Debra worked for the City of Lynnwood as a plans examiner for over two decades, retiring 12 years ago.
Before that, She began her working life driving dump trucks for her father, Larry Bixby, and later worked as a commercial driver for Safeway. She also started several small business including NW Stoneware making concrete planters. Her love of fishing, though, was a lifelong passion—she spent nearly every weekend of her children’s upbringing on the water, fishing lakes, rivers, and the ocean. Eventually, she pursued that dream professionally and spent 18 years as a licensed charter captain, guiding fishing, crabbing, and shrimping trips from Neah Bay through the San Juan Islands and Everett WA.
In Sequim, Debra poured that same passion into the earth. She became a devoted organic gardener and sustainable small farmer. She built a commercial greenhouse and taught countless friends and neighbors how to grow, harvest and preserve their own food. Even as her health declined, she remained dedicated: up before sunrise and working until dark, until her illness finally made that no longer possible.
Debra is survived by her mother Virginia Bixby of Sequim. She is also survived by her son Jack Canty and daughter-in-law Ruth Canty of Oakland, CA; her daughter Corinne Ramey and son-in-law Joseph Ramey of Sequim; her grandchildren Olivia Carlson and Harlie Burwash; and her beloved bonus grandchildren Annabelle Boysen Burwash, Roger Burwash, Paige Lawrence, Dylan McKeown, and Blake
McGowan and bonus great grand daughter Bailee McGowan.
A celebration of life will be held at Debra’s cherished farm and greenhouse on August 30th, where family and friends will gather in the place where she spent her time, shared her knowledge, and poured her heart into the land she loved.
