Debra Treadwell, a former math teacher at King Middle School in Portland who had a passion for teaching and inspired her students to follow their dreams, died Sunday after a 24-year battle with multiple sclerosis. She was 54.

Mrs. Treadwell was the wife of Jeff Treadwell and the mother of their two children, Jackson and Julia Treadwell of Falmouth.

She was remembered by her family on Monday as an exceptional teacher, a loyal friend, and her kids’ biggest cheerleader.

“She was the best mother,” said her younger sister, Gloria Noyes of Westbrook. “She was attentive and compassionate. She held them accountable in a loving way. She raised two very caring, loving, bright and warm children. She was a big advocate for her kids and encouraged them to strive to be their best.”

Mrs. Treadwell had the same approach with her students. She taught eighth-grade math at King Middle School for about seven years. Noyes said her sister would often reach out to students struggling at school or at home. She would listen to her students, support them, and encourage them to be better, her sister said.

“She was inspirational,” Noyes said. “She was a very bright woman. She challenged all of us to use our ability to think and reason and be creative problem solvers. She instilled that in the people close to her. She wanted you to be a better person. She always rooted for the underdog.”

In many ways, Mrs. Treadwell led by example. She was diagnosed with MS at age 30 and faced life head on. By all accounts, she created a beautiful life for herself and those around her.

Mrs. Treadwell and her husband were married for 20 years. The couple lived in Falmouth, where they raised their two children. Through those years, she had a successful career as an advertising executive at Creative Design and Marketing in Portland.

Though she loved her work, her true passion was teaching. So after nearly 20 years in advertising, Mrs. Treadwell followed her heart and went back to school to get her teaching degree. She retired a few years ago due to complications of MS. Soon thereafter, she was diagnosed with Stage IV cervical cancer.

“She was incredibly brave,” her sister said. “She persevered despite anything that (came) at her. She didn’t feel sorry for herself. She wanted to live. She was an inspiration to all of us.”

Mrs. Treadwell enjoyed being with family and her many close friends. Noyes said she was a regular at her daughter’s softball and volleyball games. She was also proud of her son’s accomplishments at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She was an avid reader and steady patron at the Falmouth Memorial Library. She enjoyed shopping and watching movies.

“I’ll miss everything,” Noyes said of her sister. “I’ll miss being able to call and talk to her about life and work. I’ll miss watching her be a mom and a role model. I’ll miss watching Bravo with her, shopping with her, and eating nachos and wings with her … things she loved.”

 

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