Remembering Debbie: A Breast Cancer Story

“We didn’t know her diagnosis to its extent. We knew she had breast cancer, but it never took over. It was always just my mom there,” Audrey Scott described.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, reminding us of the countless women who have endured this battle—here is to those who lost, those who won, and those who have sat and are sitting alongside these women during their fight. 

With this article I would like to honor the memory of a woman who touched many hearts: Debbie Scott. A loving wife, a strong mother, a selfless daughter, and a badass friend. 

The Scotts are a family that my family and I grew up very intertwined with, so it felt only right to interview Debbie’s daughters and late husband to keep her memory alive. Debbie passed away in 2012 after fighting breast cancer for 4.5 years. At ages eight and five, Audrey and Grace Scott experienced the loss of a mother, an unimaginable pain. Now, at ages 20 and 18, the sisters reflect back on their memories with their WARRIOR of a mother. 

“From what my dad would tell us and from what we saw, even through her sickness, even at her lowest points in chemo; all she wanted to do was to give Audrey and I a happy image of herself. Only love and positivity came from her and that shows how dedicated she was as a mother,” recounted Grace. 

Not only was Debbie an amazing mother, but she was an incredible friend. My mother, Amy Winton, also remembers her in a very fond way: “She didn’t let the cancer define her. She was an amazing mother, a fantastic friend, completely involved in kids’ activities, held garage sales, wanted to socialize over wine on the weekends—all despite how sick she was probably feeling and despite how tired she probably was from all the traveling to treatments. I admired how she made every single moment count. She made time for her kids and friends.”

The same year that Debbie passed, Strokes 4 Hope was started. Founded by her husband, Obie Scott, with the help of several close friends/volunteers, Strokes 4 Hope is a golf tournament that has happened every year since 2012. He says, “Strokes 4 Hope has been a huge part of my healing. I can’t say enough about the guys who have continued to show up and give to help us make our community better and keep Debbie’s memory alive.” The most recent tournament marks their 12th annual Strokes 4 Hope event with over 250 golfers, about 35 volunteers, and 20 different companies representing them in some capacity. Strokes 4 Hope has shown enormous growth since 2012, raising a total of about $690,000, which goes to several different charities like Look Good/Feel Better and Placer County Wig Bank, as well as families that need some extra support or morale during tough times like those the Scotts experienced. 

To listen to the man who made it all happen, check out this video and really see the love and time poured into Strokes 4 Hope. 

Breast cancer is an incredibly dangerous thing that drains someone both mentally and physically—but Debbie never let her daughters see this. The priority was always for Audrey and Grace to be having fun and getting to do all the things the other kids were, even if that meant leaving her oxygen tank behind while supporting an elementary school presentation of Audrey’s  to appear “normal.” She ensured her daughters always came first, even after her passing. One of her top priorities given to her late husband, Obie, was told to me by Grace: “She told my dad to make sure that we have an abundance of women in our lives so we have female figures that will help bring us up and teach us in ways dad can’t. Like your mom, aunts, grandparents, nannies, women at Strokes 4 Hope. She knew how important it was for little girls to have a mom, she didn’t want us to grow up lost without one.”

A pain like this isn’t something that ever goes away. During their initial grieving process, Obie tried to find ways to work with it. “As you can imagine, losing your mom/spouse/sister/daughter is beyond heartbreaking and you will be sad/mad/pissed/etc. We allowed each other to have that day where you visit ‘poopville.’ My ask of the girls was to visit it and then try to move forward (not move on). If you hang out in poopville too much, you start to smell, and no one will want to be by you.” It has been truly inspiring seeing how much Obie and his daughters have grown since 2012, while also not letting a day go by where Debbie isn’t in their hearts and in their memories. Like Obie said, you don’t move on, but forward.

Shortly after Debbie lost her battle to cancer, Audrey and Grace began going to group therapy for kids who had lost a parent. It wasn’t specifically about losing someone to breast cancer, but Audrey feels it made things just a little bit easier. 

“Knowing that I wasn’t alone and that we were all going through some sort of something, it was great having that support group. The community aspect is what really helped my sister and I get through it. So, for those experiencing something similar, I would suggest making sure you find people to talk to and make it the most positive experience that it can be—try to come out of it knowing more than when you went in,” advises Audrey. 

Situations like Debbie’s and women like her cause us to reflect on common things we do and phrases we say that we almost take for granted. One of the things that Audrey remembers about her mom is that, “[She] realizes [her] mom never said goodbye. She was always saying, ‘I’ll see you after school, after swimming, etc.,’ She always had this positive attitude despite everything going on. I can’t imagine ever not saying goodbye to people.” Something so small made all the difference when it came to Debbie’s attitude; her bravery was always clear. 

Debbie’s legacy extends far beyond her battle with cancer. Her unwavering dedication to her daughters and community speaks to the strength many women battling breast cancer possess—strength not only in fighting the disease, but in continuing to live life to the fullest possible extent. It is a testament to the power of positivity, the importance of a supportive community, and the love of family and friends. October serves as a time to honor women like Debbie, whose courage has continued to inspire others long after they’re gone. It’s also a time to acknowledge the families left behind, who commemorate their loved one’s memory with both grief and pride. For every woman struggling: there are communities rallying around you, just like Strokes 4 Hope, turning personal loss into a time to heal together. Debbie Scott’s story is a reminder of the resilience and love that can flourish even in the face of adversity. 

“As sad as it was that she was taken away, I truly believe that she is still here through little things, continuing to reach out to us and guide us through life,” Grace finishes. 

A special thank you to the Scott family for making this article possible. And of course, a shout out to Debbie, who will forever live on in our hearts. 

• breast cancer
• breast cancer awareness month
• family
• love
• october