Obituary of Debra S. McMahan

Debra was born on Nov. 22, 1954, at Waterloo, Iowa to Darlene and Clarence Main. The family moved to California when Debra was 3 years old. She grew up in Redondo Beach, California and attended Washington Elementary, Adams Middle School and Aviation High School. After High School she met and married Michael McMahan, her husband of 39 years. She then attended El Camino College, followed by Radiology School at Harbor UCLA and Carteret Technical in Morehead City, North Carolina. Debra began a career in Radiology and Radiology Education, and was a gifted and talented educator. In 1983, she returned to school at the University of Southern California, completing the Physician's Assistant program. Debra returned to work full time, attended the University of Southern California and took on a load of 18 units. She graduated Magna Cum Laud and received a Bachelors of Science Degree. She then entered a Masters of Science Program for Physicians Assistant at George Washington University in Washington D.C. Debra completed the program in one year while she continued to work full time. She placed tremendous value on education and had an impeccable work ethic. The McMahan family moved to Santa Barbara in 2000 and Debra became the Program Director of the School of Radiology and the Department Chair of the Imaging Science Department. All that being said she loved to have fun and loved exercise and the outdoors. Some of her best friends were the people she would see almost every day at the Santa Barbara Athletic Club. There was a group that she met before work at 5:45am for Spinning and other classes. She loved hiking and backpacking and recently did a pilgrimage in southern France from Montpellier to Toulouse, when she returned from Europe Debra and Michael, her husband, spent 10 days backpacking the High Sierra camps in Yosemite. She was an avid skier and held a season pass at Mammoth for 17 years. Debra was dedicated to her family and friends. Anyone that knew her knew that they could always count on her. Debra is survived by her husband, Michael McMahan and 2 sons James McMahan and Tristan McMahan, also her father, Clarence Main, brother, Mike Main and sister, Cathy Smith (Greg). She is survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She thought the world of her family and loved spending time with them. Debra will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She was always enthusiastic, encouraging, positive and non-judgmental. She made room for everyone. She loved God and is in His powerful embrace. She was not the queen of diamonds she was always the queen of hearts. A memorial service will be held in her honor on Saturday October 20, 2012 at noon at the Santa Barbara Free Methodist Church, 1435 Cliff Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93109. A reception will immediately follow at the church. All who knew Debra and were touched by her, are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund is being set-up in her name to benefit deserving students enrolled in the Santa Barbara City College Radiologic Science Program.