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Celebrating and Honoring Debra Saxon

by Zoe Frost & Angelyn Horrell

s Celebration Magazine enters its 10th anniversary travel tour companies in existence, but none that offered the
year, it’s an opportunity to reflect, appreciate, specialized services seniors need. She envisioned a higher
A and celebrate the amazing journey and story of level of service, quality, and entertainment. Initially, she
how Celebration came to be. Beloved by many seniors in worked with agencies to help arrange the trips, but none
North Texas, Celebration has impacted our community in could meet her standards of customer service. It was at
significant ways. this time she told Greg, “Quit your job, you’re coming to
Celebration Magazine was born as an idea in Debra Saxon’s work with me!” This is how Debra and Greg became their
brilliant mind. On the first day of her new job as an activity own travel agency specializing in senior travel. Hundreds
director in an independent living community, she realized of seniors have traveled with Celebration to fabulous
there was a void that desperately needed filled. While there destinations such as Hawaii, Alaska, Maine, Caribbean
were resource guides about senior care, there was nowhere cruises, and Canada. Devoted travelers love the way they
to turn for information and entertainment for seniors who are spoiled with all-inclusive experiences and keep coming
lived an active life. That very day, Debra came home and back for more.
said to her husband Greg, “I am going to In November, Debra was honored by Altrusa
have a magazine for the senior community International of Richardson as a nominee
in Dallas.” Debra’s heart connected with for 2019 Outstanding Woman of Today.
this idea and it continued to grow steadily. This distinguished honor was a beautiful
Over the next few years, Debra spent time way to celebrate a remarkable woman who
working in the senior industry, learning it uses her gifts to improve the lives of all
top to bottom, while dreaming and planning who encounter her. She truly has a heart
what would soon become Celebration for serving others and uses Celebration
Magazine. In 2009, Debra’s co-worker Magazine as a platform to give back to the
Carol Cottle, asked her, “What would community by supporting organizations
you be doing if you weren’t here?” Debra like the Lion’s Cub, SPAN, Pajamas for
shared her vision and how she was saving Seniors, the USO, and so many more.
money and formulating her plan to start a Congratulations to you, Debra Saxon, on
senior magazine that served active seniors this amazing honor. Your team, readers, and
in the Dallas area. With excitement and fans are so grateful that you followed your
hope, Debra told Carol she was very close to saving what dream to create Celebration Magazine.•
she needed to take the leap and start making her dream
become a reality. That very next day, Carol walked into
Debra’s office and handed her an envelope with a check
for the amount Debra needed to start the magazine. After
giving her this amazing gift, Carol marched Debra into the
director’s office and said: “She quits!”
This gift was the final push that Debra needed to launch
her dream and create the company that would soon be the
“can’t live without” resource for thriving seniors. Through
the years, Debra added another great program, Out&About,
with Celebration Magazine, which is an entirely free
monthly social club. The magazine gives area seniors
an outlet for socialization and education by offering fun
events and information just for them!
In 2018, the Celebration brand expanded to open The SPOT
at Celebration in Richardson. The magazine came to life
with informational Lunch & Learns, panel discussions, fun
social events, and free group exercise for seniors. Not only
are there scheduled events, but the doors of The SPOT at
Celebration are open for visitors to grab a cup of coffee and
visit during office hours.
Debra had experience in planning and traveling with seniors
from her time working in senior living, so she set out to add
Celebration Senior Travel to the repertoire. Seniors love to
travel, and as the magazine grew, the opportunity to branch
into senior travel seemed like a natural fit. There were

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