It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we announce the passing of Debra and Sarah. Debra was a loving wife, mother, daughter and sister. Born to Albert and Marie Chalmers in 1958 and later followed by sisters Janice, Christine and Linda. The family was raised in June Lake, California, where Debra attended and graduated from Lee Vining High School in 1978. After graduating, she moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma and enrolled at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Shortly after, she met and married Steve Derrick. The couple lived and worked in Kansas City where they fostered children until Debra gave birth to Sarah Ruth Derrick in 1985.

In 1998, the little family decided to make the move to Reno, Nevada so Debra could be closer to her family. They quickly set down roots in Reno where Debra worked, raised her family, and attended North Valley Church of the Nazarene. Debra soon became passionate about children ministries. 

Sarah graduated in 2005 from Wooster High School and went on to work in retail until Debra was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2011. From there, it was Sarah's mission to take care of her mother; all while working. As Debra's unfortunate diagnosis progressed, Sarah put a side work and devoted 100% of her days caring for her mother, father and her beloved cat, Twister.

In late 2022, Sarah was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at just 36 years old. Cancer consumed her young body in just over a year. Sarah's diagnosis devasted Debra who had been battling with her multiple sclerosis for 12 years. 

Sarah was admitted to the hospital in July 2023, and she was informed the cancer had spread throughout her body. Within weeks she was placed in hospice care. Sarah succumbed to this unforgiving disease on August 7, 2023. This was more than Debra could take; her heart was broken into a million pieces. Sarah who had not left Debra's side for 12 years was now gone. The stress on Debra with her multiple sclerosis and frail body was all too much, and she joined her devoted loving daughter in the embrace of God's love on September 1, 2023. 

Debra and Sarah will be remembered and missed every day by all those who loved them. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 11;00 AM at North Valley Church of the Nazarene in Lemmon Valley, Nevada.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

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