I have some very sad news to share about one of our beloved long-time members. Deborah Touchy and her fiance, Kevin Willis,
passed away on Friday, July 4th. They succumbed to carbon dioxide
asphyxiation in the wine cellar of her home due to the presence of dry
ice (which converts to CO2 gas upon warming). Deborah joined the club in 2006 after serving as hostess at one of Vernon Tyger's
pre-marathon pasta parties. She quickly became a very involved member,
running Wednesday and Sunday training runs and participating in races.
She particularly loved running marathons, and accumulated an impressive
array of finisher medals, including from the Athens Marathon (a BCRR
club trip), numerous Houston Marathons, and all the Marathon Majors. She
was one of the most determined individuals I have ever met, and she
wouldn't let anyone or anything stop her from achieving her goals in
racing or in life. She had a big personality, big Texas hair, and a big
smile. She was always the life of the party. We all have "Deborah"
stories, which I hope will be shared this Wednesday at Valhalla as we
toast in her honor! Injuries
derailed her running career in recent years, but she still remained an
active member, occasionally coming to parties to share her exuberance
(and a great bottle or two - or three - of wine). Although Deborah was a
successful lawyer, wine was her passion, and she was extremely active
in the Houston Rodeo Wine Committee and the wine scene both in Houston
and internationally. She even became a certified sommelier just for fun!
She is survived by her daughter Carlton Touchy Klein, whom she loved deeply. Our condolences to Carlton and family. She will be missed. On
a personal note, Deborah was also one of my closest friends. When our
son Alex died suddenly in 2010, she, together with others in our small
cohort, got me out of bed to run in the mornings when I certainly would
have preferred to stay and wallow in my grief. I am forever grateful for
that and and her other acts of kindness and generosity. It serves as a
strong testament to the healing power of friendship and running. We need
that healing power now more than ever. Rest in Peace Deborah Touchy Kathi Mahon Arrangements will be shared once available | 
