Debra Fincham
January 01, 2012
Debra Ellen Fincham, 55, died on January 1, 2012. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded by loving family and friends. Deb lost a battle with lung cancer – a disease she had despite having never been a smoker.
Debra was born on December 10, 1956, and was the first child born to Dick and Anita Fincham of rural Ames, and formerly of rural Story City. As an adult, Debra recognized the benefits of growing up on a genuine family farm, and credits that experience with bestowing upon her all her best traits.
Debra graduated from Roland-Story High School in 1975, and Iowa State University in 1979. She had a passion for women’s health care and spent 15 years working for Planned Parenthood. Debra decided in the early 1990’s that she wanted to become a Physician Assistant (PA) and graduated from Des Moines University’s rigorous PA Program in 1996.
She enjoyed her work as a PA, working primarily in Family Practice and Women’s Health. She felt especially good about the care she provided to uninsured patients through non-profit organizations and publicly funded programs. She especially enjoyed her work at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, as interactions with the patients there always made her grateful for the advantages she had.
Debra met Mark Lambert in 1988, and the two fell in love almost instantly. Not long after they met, they made a commitment to each other to be life partners, and then formally married in 1996. As Debra finished her studies, Mark finished his at the University of Iowa, College of Law. They were blessed with two bright and beautiful daughters, Sierra and Jasmine Lambert, both now age 11.
Deb was an active member of the Polk City Women (PCW), a public-service club, the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines, and the Iowa Physician Assistant Society.
Deb is survived by her husband, Mark Lambert, and daughters Sierra and Jasmine Lambert of Polk City, IA; her parents, Richard and Anita Fincham of Ames, IA; and her sisters Janice Wilton (Tom) of Polk City, IA, Leanne Johnston (Jay) of Charlotte, NC, and Linda Fincham of Columbia, MO. She is also survived by ten nieces and nephews. Deb was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, LaVerne and Rena Smith, and paternal grandparents, Ray and Ruby Fincham.
A memorial service celebrating Deb’s life will be held on Saturday, January 7, 201 at 10:30 a.m., at the First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Avenue, Des Moines. A visitation with Deb’s family will be held on Friday, January 6, from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., also at the First Unitarian Church.
Deb requested, in lieu of flowers, that memorial gifts be made payable to a college fund she established for her daughters, the “Fincham-Lambert Family Trust.”
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Sherry (Gildersleeve) Lohman
02/21/2012
Dear Mark, Sierra and Jasmine,
We have never met, but I knew your Debbie as she was growing up. I used to babysit, occasionally, and well remember the bright, beautiful young girl Debbie was. (Recall she was thrilled to get a microscope one Christmas!).
I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for your loss....and asking that God grant you the courage and peace to continue to take each new step....Debbie has left you, physically, but her Spirit will remain forever.
Blessings and peace,
Sherry
Mark Ingebretsen
01/09/2012
Dear Mark,
Please accept my sincerest condolences. Although I did not know Debra well, I can vividly remember seeing the two of you together on many occasions and was always moved by the obvious strength of the love and commitment you each shared.
You, Sierra, and Jasmine are in our family's prayers.
Mark Ingebretsen
Ruth Datus
01/07/2012
My sympathy is extended to your recent loss. I want to share with you the Bible hope for those we lost in death. God's word the Bible tell us we can see our loved one again free of all sickness and pain. (Isaiah 25:8) "He will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces. And the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for Jehovah himself has spoken [it]" The Bible alsonassured us this will take place. (John 11:25)" Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life;" We can be confident that our Grand Creator will make this a reality very soon. May these scriptures bring comfort to you and your family.
Jack and Betty Soener
01/07/2012
Dear Mark, Jack and I were shocked and saddened to read of Debra's passing. We are so sorry for you and your Daughters. We would have come to the visitation to give you our sympathy and a hug but just read the news this morning and realized we had missed the scheduled time. No address in the phone book to send you a note so using this email site. Please know we are thinking of you. Sincerely, Betty and Jack
Steve Johnson
01/07/2012
Mark: I am very sorry for your loss. It is clear she was a great and passionate woman. She passed much too soon. You and your daughters will be in my prayers for your recovery from this loss.
Steve Johnson
Magellan Behavioral Care of Iowa
Rhonda Chittenden Calderon
01/06/2012
Dear Mark and family--
Please know that I am holding you in my heart as you grieve the loss of your beautiful Deb. I met Deb in 1990 at my first job out of college at PPGI. I've bumped into her here and there through the years and always loved her friendly nature. May you find comfort in the coming days and weeks.
Peace--
Rhonda Chittenden Calderon
Becky Strom
01/06/2012
Dear Mark and family, I was deeply saddened to see Deb's obituary. My first job as a counselor was the PP clinic. Her passion for women's health issues and mentoring for me was a gift. I had not thought too much about a woman's choice to choose until I worked there with Deb and it has influenced my female daughters and their commitment to women's rights. Her influence and legacy lives on through them as well as so many others.
We became friends during my time there. I smile as I remember the first time we went out to eat. Watching her check out the items on the menu to decide which sounded good to her stomach was funny! Now I have a daughter who almost does the same thing!
Then there was the wedding. It was a gift to participate in that, to perform the ceremony and share it with you both. I remember it as a beautiful day and Deb was a beautiful bride.
May you feel the love and comfort of those who surround you, love you and walk this journey with you. And may your two daughters know what an incredible woman Deb was.
Becky Strom
Angi Harris
01/06/2012
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Mark and I talked when scheduling appeal hearings about our daughters. (Mine is 10 years old.) My heart goes out to those special children to lose their mother at such a young age. My thoughts are with your family at this very difficult time.
Jackie Strang
01/06/2012
I was shocked to hear of your loss. Deb was always great to work with. I worked with her in the past at Broadlawns and the free clinic at the Umac center. Then more recently when she was promoting and working for VENUS. Deb truly cared about the patients she served. She will be missed. Peace be with her girls and husband. She will be with you always.
Cyndi Johnston
01/05/2012
Mark, Sierra and Jasmine, It is with a heavy heart that I want to express my deepest condolences to you all! I'm not sure if you remember me from Cowles School-Minnow Room, but I was very lucky to have known you all. Treasure and hold close to your heart the wonderful memories that you all made together! Prayers are sent your way and hoping you can find the strength to pull through! Will be thinking of you! Take Care! ((Hugs)). Cyndi
Cindy Wilton Riggs
01/05/2012
Joe & I send our most sincere condolences to friends and family of Deb. We pray that Saturday's upcoming service bring comfort to grieving loved ones and that Deb's husband and daughters are upheld by the loving care of all who grieve with them.
John and Vicki Baker
01/05/2012
Words do not express how very sorry we are. May the love of your many friends provide you comfort and may the love of God provide you peace.
Denise Moore
01/05/2012
Mark, Sierra, and Jasmine,
On behalf of Vanessa, Matt, Nick and myself,I want to wish to you our deepest and sincere sympathy during this difficult time. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you every day.
-Denise
Peggy McKee Best
01/04/2012
Sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers going out to Deb's family.
So very sorry for your loss.
Peggy (McKee) Best - Gilbert Class of '76
Mary Durand-Leto
01/04/2012
To Deb's family, my heart is very sad today learning the news of Deb's passing. She is my daughter Melissa's godmother, and I chose her for that role because of her love and dedication to everyone that she touched. I know that she will leave a large void in all of your lives. God bless each of you, and I wish you peace and comfort at this difficult time.
Mary Leto