Former Cell Biology, Anatomy admin dies
Deborah Joyce Bridgers, 48, died Oct. 27 at Roper Hospital.
A
native of Northampton County, N.C., Ms. Bridgers was a graduate of Appalachian
State University and worked as an administrative assistant in the Department
of Cell Biology and Anatomy at MUSC. She was a member of Bethany United
Methodist Church, James Island, and enjoyed an active life with a great
love for horses and dogs.
Survivors include her fiancé, Steve Ackerman of Summerville; her parents, William Henry and Joyce Watson Bridgers of Milwaukee, N.C.; two brothers, Steve Bridgers and wife Robbie of Milwaukee, and Henry Bridgers and wife Sandi of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; sister Alesia Morse of Denver, N.C.; grandmother Ella Mae Martin Watson of Conway, N.C.; three nieces and a nephew.
Funeral services were conducted Oct. 30 at Bethany United Methodist Church, Milwaukee, by the Rev. Sidney Collins. Burial followed in the Bridgers Family Cemetery, Jenkins Mill Road, Conway.
Anyone wishing to share a memorial gift, may make a donation to the American Cancer Society.
The Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy was greatly saddened by the loss of Ms. Debby Bridgers. We were blessed to have had such a capable and remarkably talented administrator who performed every task with the highest levels of professionalism and attention to detail.
As an organizer of national and international symposia and as the editorial assistant for the scientific journal “Anatomical Record,” she interacted with many scientists throughout the country and world, many of whom frequently acknowledged her gracious style, organizational skills, and the special way in which she made all visitors feel welcomed in Charleston.
We will miss her greatly and encourage her many friends and admirers
to recognize Debby through a charitable contribution in support of cancer
research.
—Dr. Roger Markwald, Ph.D., Chairman, Department
of Cell Biology and Anatomy
Debby was a very dear friend, and I will miss her very much.
She had a wonderful sense of humor. She always had me laughing. Although
she left the foundation, we still celebrated each other's birthdays
and Christmas with gifts and lunch. Everyone thought the world of Debby.
—Mary Aelick, Health Sciences Foundation
Debby has always given me positive words of encouragement. I
appreciated her straight- forwardness approach to life's obstacles.
In spite of her fight with cancer, she always exemplified a strong desire
for life and to live it to its fullest.
I will always remember the time she shared with my daughter
when she was 2 years old and made a surprise visit to the office. Debby
held her in her lap, and they both sang the ABCs and numbers together.
I thank God for allowing me the pleasure of meeting Debby and
being able to share a part of my life with her. I will miss her.
—Melva Dobson, Health Sciences Foundation
I am at a loss for words. She was one of the most inspirational
people I have ever met.
—Debbie Salvo, Health Sciences Foundation
Friday, Nov. 5, 2004
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