Deborah “Debbie” Devlin Hughes was born on March 19, 1946, to James J. Culp and Gloria Lorayne Parra and passed away in Fresno, California on January 30, 2026, at the age of 79. She had three siblings, Charles Gardiner, Mark Gardiner, and Gayle Cacconie, and is survived by her two children, George S. Brietigam III and Tiffany Brietigam, four grandchildren, George E. Brietigam, Brieann Mavrogeorge, Julie Brietigam and Ashley Winchell, as well as one great-grandchild, Lydia Mavrogeorge. To most people, she was known as Debbie, but to the family, she was “Auntie Mame” or “Mamie” for short.

For the majority of her life, Debbie was a professional singer, beginning at the age of 3 on a church piano stool. Debbie was passionate, unique, and multifaceted in work and life. She embraced life with arms wide open and lived her life to the fullest, never settling for comfort and always pressing on towards new adventures and excitement. She toured America with her bands, owned gold mines, a thrift shop, was an entrepreneur, and also a caregiver. She was truly a “Free Spirit,” which consequently was the name of one of her bands. Debbie lived and loved boldly, fully, and unapologetically, having an unparalleled zest for life. She possessed a quick wit, remarkable sense of humor, charm, and playfulness that kept everyone around laughing and craving more. If you saw a crowd gathered and everyone laughing, you knew that you would find her at the center. Her magnetic personality lit up every space she encountered. She was also strong-willed and stubborn, and could make you smile, laugh, angry, and cry all in the same moment. She was a force to be reckoned with.

Interpersonally, Debbie knew how to listen intently, so that people felt heard and cared for. The diversity of Debbie’s family culture and her zest for life brought a wide array of people into her general circles. She loved Jesus and was quick to remind others of his peace, love, grace, and mercy. She was non-judgmental, having a deep and abiding compassion and respect for all others. She was always willing to lend her voice, a laugh, an ear, hand, or whatever she had in order to brighten the lives of others. She remained the same until right before her passing, as the nurses in her care facility cheerfully shared that she was their favorite patient.

The family is throwing a Celebration of Life to honor Debbie’s memory in March of 2026. Invitations will be sent in the near future.