Deborah Zulauf

Deborah A. Pemberton Zulauf left us peacefully on October 1, 2017. She was born February 22, 1958 in Denver, Colorado to Don Pemberton and Fran Huskey Pemberton. She moved to the Seattle area in 1964, where she graduated from Ballard High School and continued her education at Whitworth University. After graduation in 1982, she spent time traveling in Europe, working as an au pair in Paris, and harvesting grapes on a vineyard. Upon returning, she married David R Zulauf MD in 1983. Shortly after, they moved to New York City, where he was completing his medical residency. She received her Master’s Degree from New York University in 1987 and worked as a special education teacher. Fostering students' curiosity and joy for learning was her life's passion, which was apparent in every classroom she taught. David and Debbie moved to Yakima where she continued her career in special education until the birth of their daughter, Zoe, in 1993. She was able to be a stay-at-home mother to Zoe, which was the most meaningful vocation of her life. Debbie enjoyed traveling, taking many trips with Zoe to Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii, British Columbia, and all throughout the Pacific Northwest. Gardening was her favorite pastime and her gardens were always vibrant, colorful, and full of life. She cherished her yearly trip to the Flower and Garden Show with her sister-in-law, Kathy. She loved all animals, large and small. Throughout her life she had many animals including a llama, horses, chickens, rabbits, gerbils, cats, and her favorite companions—her dogs Lucy and Chow. She had an amazing gift with children, and wherever she lived they wanted to be around her. She was lovingly known as "Momma Z" to Zoe's friends because she took them in as her own. From pancake breakfasts to evenings around the fire pit, she made her house a home to all the kids who visited. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Zoe Zulauf Ware & Rob Ware of Salt Lake City, UT; her parents, Francine Gardlin and Don & Glenda Pemberton of Yakima; her grandmother, Maxine Pastine of Denver, CO; her uncle and aunt Jerry & Kathy Huskey and cousin Angie Huskey of Denver, CO; her siblings Doug Pemberton of Bend, OR, Don Pemberton Jr. of Anacortes, WA, Steve & Erin Farris of Yakima, and Tiffany & Sam Johnston of Olympia, WA in addition to 13 nieces and nephews and 5 greats. Debbie was preceded in death by her brother Kenneth, her grandparents, Roy and Marie Pemberton, Roy Huskey, and nephew Tyler Pemberton. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family. A memorial service will be held November 11th at 1 pm at Wiley Heights Covenant Church, 12504 Gilbert Road, Yakima, WA. Donations may be made in Deb’s name to a pet charity of your choice. To share a memory of Deb and celebrate her life, please visit www.valleyhillsfh.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Deborah Zulauf, please visit our flower store.