Deborah S. Shipton, 62, of Clermont, FL., passed away peacefully in the arms of her children, husband, and best friend in her home on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

After learning of a terminal diagnosis, Debi knew she had a limited amount of time to accomplish her to-dos. She looked her doctors in the face and simply said, "I'm going to the beach." To no surprise, she did just that.

Wherever there was water, she found peace. Born in Meriden, Connecticut, and raised in the northeast, Debi spent her childhood in the pool at the YMCA and on the field twirling batons. Fred (her father) and Phyllis (her mother) finally landed in Jeffersonville, Indiana, where Debi would plant her roots and eventually graduate high school and start a family. In Southern Indiana she continued her education, receiving dual degrees in psychology and communication from Hanover College (1984) and her master's degree in counseling from Indiana University (1990).

Debi spent 40 years helping others in her career as a licensed mental health counselor. While her job was abundantly important to her, she would tell anyone she knew that her favorite job was being a mom. Debi had twins, Rachel and Ryan, in 1995. Through countless dance competitions, soccer games, and band gigs, you could hear her in any crowd cheering them on.

After 11 years of being an incredible single mom, Debi married Charlie Augenstein in 2013. Their lives took them down to Clermont, Florida, in 2018, where they lived in paradise. With Charlie, she frequented both the pool and the golf course and, of course, wore flip-flops all year long. Over the years, they traveled to Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Napa Valley, the Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas; countless beaches in Florida; and two weeks in Greece.

Some of Debi's greatest strengths were patience and guidance. She was thorough and empathetic, always offering a listening ear or advice. Her kids would even joke about asking themselves during life's situations, "WWDD"—What would Debi do? Our memories of her will always be a beautiful reflection of her colorful life.

During her final weeks, Debi spent 7 days at Daytona Beach with her family and grand pups. She watched the sunrise every morning—one of her favorite things to do at the beach. In every sunrise, may we see her smile and hold her memory close to our hearts.

Debi's is preceded in death by her late husband, Michael Shipton (2002); her mother, Phyllis Rader (1995); and her father, Fred Rader (2008). She is survived by her daughter, Rachel Shipton; son, Ryan Shipton (Hayley); husband, Charlie Augenstein; stepdaughters, Jennifer and Wendy (John); granddaughters, Megan and Kate; sister, April Robinson (Matt); niece, Samantha and nephews, Spencer and Sean.

Debi's wish was to be cremated and her remains to be kept among family. A celebration of her life will be planned to take place in early 2025 in southern Indiana.