Deborah Ann Ringo

Debbie Caldwell Ringo, 72, of Silverton, passed away on March 19, 2025.

Raised in Whittier, California, Debbie spent most of her life in southern California. In her youth, she loved horses, nature, and riding around with her best friend, Ora, on a bike that they found in the trash and named Crudney.

As an adult, Debbie raised three children and devoted much of her time to volunteer work, especially with LGBTQ and AIDS-focused organizations. In her downtime, she loved to sew, knit, and see arthouse films.

At 65, Debbie terrified her children by deciding to live and travel full-time in an RV. She set off in “the Jambo,” her Jamboree RV, and spent the next several years traveling the western United States, making friends everywhere she went.

After settling in Silverton, Debbie became a volunteer at Silver Falls State Park, where she continued to volunteer until just a few weeks before her death.

Debbie is survived by her three children, Allegra, Mila, and Sofia, and by the many members of her chosen family. She will be remembered for her compassion, her sense of humor, and her love of adventure.

A celebration of life will take place in California at a to-be-determined date. For details, please message @allegraringo on Instagram. If you’d like to honor Debbie’s memory, please consider making a donation to Friends of Silver Falls.