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41 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, November 14, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 13, 2004 Cheerful City Hall favorite dies Saturday Friends vow to keep helping Deborah Devin’s parents with their farm chores City Hall lost a favorite employee over the weekend. Deborah Devin, 53, died at her home Saturday. "We’re going to miss her," said Jef Faw, Medford’s finance director. Devin, who struggled with cancer for more than a year, inspired tremendous generosity among friends at work. From tackling daily farm chores to donating vacation time and money, several members of city staff stepped in to make sure Devin and her parents, Richard Devin, 73, and Irma Devin, 70, were cared for. Devin had worked in Medford’s public works and finance departments since 1999, and co-workers say her smiles and upbeat nature inspired them. Advertisement Devin and her parents bought a farm on South Stage Road in 1997. When Devin fell ill with cancer in January 2003, the family had a hard time keeping up with the cows, chickens, rabbits, cats, sheep and ducks. Devin’s co-workers created a chore schedule at work for feeding chickens, shearing sheep and reroofing the barn. Devin had provided a lot of financial support for her parents, and her father said Monday he didn’t know if they’d be able to keep the farm now that she is gone. But Roxanne Everson of the public works department said staff will make sure that’s not a concern. "Whether they like it or not they’ve still got 52 other kids," said Everson, explaining that friends will continue to help with farm chores and expenses. In fact, she said, Devin’s cremation was covered by staff. "Little cherubs are handling various financial needs," said Everson. Devin, she said, had asked her to make sure someone cared for her parents. The family is not planning a memorial service or memorial contributions, as Devin requested. Everson said the public works department staff will plant a dogwood tree in Devin’s memory at the service center on Columbus Avenue and McAndrews Road in the next couple weeks, along with a plaque. In addition to her parents, Devin is survived by her brother, Richard Devin Jr. of Medford, and her sister, Sally Harris of Fresno, Calif. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities