Debra "Deb" Gayle Hart

Debra "Deb" Gayle Hart passed away suddenly on November 30, 2022 at her home in Fawn Lake. Deb had lived in the Shelton area for nearly 25 years and was well known in the local art community. She participated in many craft and art events as well as being a long-time member of the Peninsula Art Association. She had also been involved in the Shelton business community and was associated with her long-time friend, Shelly Barnett's "Off-The-Walls" gallery. Professionally, she was a career licensed optician and though worked for several of the major firms in Tacoma, Olympia, and Aberdeen she was employed for many years at The Optical Shop of WA, here in Shelton.

Deb was born in Bismarck, North Dakota on June 28, 1951 but lived most of her childhood in Long Beach, California. After graduating from Millikan High School, she lived in several areas up and down the West Coast, had a rural general store in Tennessee for a couple of years, then settled permanently in Washington State in the early nineties. She attended Chehalis College attaining an Associate's Degree in Counseling. She loved animals and had a variety of pets too numerous to count.

She enjoyed a wide array of outdoor activities including gardening, rock-hounding, camping, biking and kayaking. However, a string of recent medical events seriously curtailed these pursuits and she focused her energies on her artistic endeavors. Her friends will always remember her indomitable spirit in overcoming these challenges and was an inspiration on how to achieve your dreams and goals in spite of whatever obstacles are thrown in your path. Her artistic talents were varied and unique; ranging from such activities as glass bead lamp work, painting, drawing, sculpture, fiber arts, and jewelry making. She had worked for some time at the Bronze Works when they were active in the area and was also employed by a Laurel Birch company in California back in the eighties.

Deb is survived by her mother, Doris (Reimann) Hart of Murrieta, CA and brother Terry of TN. She is also survived by her husband of twenty-two years, Dale Harris and daughters Kristen Hart of Olympia, WA and Micah Burress-Hart of Portland, OR. There are currently no plans for a service but there will be a gathering of friends to celebrate Deb's life at some date in the near future.