Deborah Eyerdam

DEBORAH MACY (HOUGHTON) EYERDAM

Deborah Eyerdam, 74, passed away unexpectedly April 18, 2025, in Welaka, FL. She is survived by her husband Rick Eyerdam; brother Craig (Carmella) Houghton; and nephew Ryan (Amela) Houghton. She is predeceased by her parents, Everett and Margaret Houghton, and brother William Houghton.

Debbie was born in Ohio, and she and her family moved to Delray Beach, FL, in 1959. She attended Plumosa Elementary, Delray Beach Junior High, and Seacrest High School. Debbie graduated with a BA in Communications from Miami University in Oxford, OH, spending her freshman year in Luxembourg through the university. Debbie moved to the Miami area, met her husband, Rick Eyerdam, and married in 1979.

For many years Debbie worked at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami as the Director of Marketing and Communications. Then Debbie received her Certified Clinical Research Professional certification and worked at Baptist Health South Florida as Supervisor of Research Initiation and Development.

After retiring Debbie and Rick moved from Miami to Welaka to live permanently in the home they had purchased as their vacation property years before. Debbie was a Master Gardener, fulfilling a life-long passion for plants. Their home in Miami was on a beautiful property, filled with a wide variety of native Florida plants. Debbie often shared photographs online of the wildlife wandering in their backyard in Welaka. She and Rick had several cats and dogs over the years, even rescuing them to give them good homes. Debbie cultivated a new group of close friends in Welaka, with whom they would share waterfront meals, participate in the annual Welaka Christmas parade, and enjoy the local cultural events.

Her positive attitude helped Debbie weather the serious medical issues that left her less active, but she was looking forward to getting back on her feet. Her family, her friends in Welaka and Miami, and her childhood friends, will miss her cheery nature and hearty laugh. Rest in peace, our dear friend.

Messages of sympathy may be shared on Debbie’s online tribute page at: themastersfuneralhome.com

Masters Funeral Home of Palatka, FL is in charge of arrangements.