Debra Rae McGowen

Debra McGowen, age 69, passed away March 8, 2022, in Novato, CA after her courageous battle with cancer. She was born April 26, 1952 in Oakland, CA to John and Barbara (Sacks) Eklund and was raised in Hayward and Dublin. She was a graduate of Amador Valley High School class of 1970. She worked in the banking industry in her early life. She managed her own ceramics business out of her home for many years while raising her three daughters. She later worked in the Dublin Unified School District as a data technician, scheduler and created school newsletters and yearbooks. She retired in 2014 in Sacramento where she took pride in her gardening, home improvement and decorating projects. Debi was a dedicated mother and grandmother. She treasured her family and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved her role as a grandmother and was a woman of great humor and creativity — she loved to organize, paint, refinish old furniture, make floral and holiday arrangements and research family ancestry. Debi is survived by her mother, Barbara Eklund; former spouse, Charles McGowen; daughters, Tracy Cipollina (Claudio), Leanne Brown (Adam), and Amy Burns; grandchildren, Hailey, Joseph, Addison, Jack, Lucas and Jake; brothers, Gary Eklund (Sue), Tim Eklund (Cindy), Jim Eklund (Barbara) and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her fathers, John Eklund, and Fred Eklund; granddaughter, Alivia Lee White; and brother, Charles Eklund. A celebration of life will be held for Debra Rae McGowen on Wednesday, March 16th at 12:00 p.m. at Valley Memorial Park, 650 Bugeia Lane in Novato, CA.