Obituary East Peoria - Debra Dee Baxter, 60, of East Peoria, passed away on Friday, January 2, 2015 after many years of dealing with Type 1 diabetes and kidney disease. Debra was born in Caldwell, ID on February 21, 1954. Her family moved to the Tri-Cities in Washington when she was six weeks old and she graduated from Kamiakin High School in 1972. Debra's love of knowledge led her to earn numerous degrees including an AA in Electronics, a BA in English, and a MA in Instructional Technology. Debra moved to Illinois in 1985, finally settling in East Peoria where she remained until her death. Debra worked as an editor for 18 years for Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. In 2007, she opened a freelance editing business where she served various companies until 2014. In 1991 she happily became a foster parent to 3 Vietnamese boys. In 1997, Debra was blessed with the life-saving gift of a kidney transplant and was thankful to all her doctors and nurses for the care they gave her. She was a member of Unity Church of Peoria, where she loved helping with the youth education program. She studied A Course in Miracles, which was a guiding force in her life. Debra loved animals and enjoyed the companionship of several rescued cats and dogs. Debra was preceded in death by her father, William Dee Baxter. She is survived by her mother, Verla J. Baxter; her brother, Darrell (Delene) Baxter; her sister, Lanae (Joe) Legard; three nephews; one niece; and five great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her Peoria family; her cousin, Margaret (Pat) Mohrman, and her children and grandchildren; and foster son, Paul (Jasmine) Nguyen. A Memorial Service will be held at Unity Church of Peoria at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2015. Rev Linda Foreman will officiate. Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington is in charge of arrangements. Inurnment will be at a later date in Kennewick, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Debra's honor to TAPS Animal Shelter in Pekin, IL. Memorial Service JAN 17. 10:00 AM Unity Church of Peoria 3127 N. Avalon Place Peoria, IL, US, 61604