Obituary of Debra Symes McGee

Debra Symes McGee, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 surrounded by family. Debra was born in Salt Lake City to Jim and Donna Symes. She was sandwiched between an older brother and three younger sisters. As only a middle child can be, she grew resolute, occasionally stubborn, and extremely tough. Her stalwart personality would serve her well and strengthen her through life’s challenges. On October 3, 1975, Debra married her lifetime sweet heart, Arden Richard McGee, in the Provo Temple. They were blessed with eight children, 22 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Debra loved caring for these little ones. They were the source of her joy! Debra was an exemplary, talented quilter. She has left behind a plethora of intricate quilts, along with a considerable hoard of fabric for her family to enjoy. Whatever happens in life, we will always be warm, wrapped in a quilt from Deb. She was an avid reader and reveled in her large collection of books. Day and night she was often found with a book in hand. There was even a time when Deb and Richard owned a bookstore, Books, Etc., sharing her love of literature with the surrounding community. Debra was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her conviction in the reality of her Savior and His love for her buoyed her as she faced many health challenges over the years. Some of Deb’s final moments were spent with warm embraces from her loving family. She spent those moments giving directions, “Take care of my babies. Take care of your siblings. Take care of each other.” Even on death’s door she was watching over us, loving us, caring for us more so than caring for herself, concerned for our well-being more so than having concern for the grand adventure she was about to face. An unprecedented hole is left in our family but we know that Mom will continue watching over us, loving us, and caring for us even from the other side. Debra leaves behind eight children, Colleen (Wells), Lori, Stephanie, Trevor (Josephine), Brayten (Stephanie), Amanda, Jacqulyn, and Ashley (Jason), 22 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard McGee, her father, James Symes, her sister Synthia Jensen, and two of her grandchildren Gabriel McGee and Wyatt McGee. We are comforted in the thought of their joyous reunion. A brief graveside service will be held for family and close friends on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Bountiful City Cemetery 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, UT.