Deborah Roush

Deborah Marie (Rayburn) Roush, aged 75, of Ann Arbor, Michigan passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Ypsilanti, Michigan at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital after a severe stroke.

Born on June 4, 1950, in Phoenix, Arizona, Debs was the daughter of Rosemary (Mayo) Rayburn and Leo Rayburn. Raised by her loving grandparents Edward and Burdette Mayo, she grew up primarily in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Debs graduated from Loy Norrix High School in 1968. She went on to Western Michigan University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Special Education in 1972. She later went to earn a Master of Science in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1979 and an Education Specialist degree from the University of Michigan in 1982, focusing on school psychology.

Debs worked as a child psychologist for the Lenawee Intermediate School District and the Milan School District. She also worked as the Executive Director of the Michigan Friends Center, a Quaker-based retreat and conference center in Chelsea, Michigan from March 2001 until February 2005.

Outside of her work, she was proud of her advocacy work at the state level regarding special education services in public schools, particularly through the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) organization (for which she received several awards and recognitions for her extensive leadership role). She also worked as part of the State Board of Education's Universal Education Referent Group and the Special Education Advisory Committee. The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners also appointed Debs to serve on the Community Mental Health Services Board from 1984 to 1986.

Debs as well was a devoted mother and caretaker for her two children. Taking several years off of work to raise them, she was a constant advocate for them throughout their school years.

Debs was a member of the Ann Arbor Friends Meeting which she attended since 1978. She also attended other Friends Meetings in Wausau, Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, and New Haven, Connecticut. Cultivating a rich group of close, life-long friends from the Meeting, she participated in numerous oversight committees, including the Property Committee and the Finance Committee, as well as others.

Married on December 23, 1972 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Debs is survived by her husband of more than 53 years, Stephen Roush; children, Heather Sedlak and James Roush; grandchild, Linnaea Roush; as well as numerous cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and brother, Edward Rayburn.

A memorial will be held on July 12, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the Ann Arbor Friends Meeting, 1420 Hill Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. The burial of her cremated remains will eventually occur at the Lake View Cemetery in the City of South Haven, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ann Arbor Friends Meeting, 1420 Hill Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

Her family and friends will remember her committed love, joyful laughter, long walks and conversations, and playful teasing and feistiness. She will also be remembered for her fondness for Newfoundland dogs (she had two, Beth and Molly, over the years), and her love of birds, a trait she shares with her husband.

Debs showed extraordinary love and resilience throughout her life. Her focus on ensuring all – particularly those who have difficulty advocating for themselves – receive equitable treatment has left the world a better, kinder place. Her family and friends will miss her light and laughter.