5th heart attack signal to slow down

Debbie Musial has lost track of the burgers she’s flipped for the Badger Boos-ters’ concession stand.

So it’s hard for Musial — the driving force behind the club’s fundraising efforts that benefit extra-curricular activities in Boundary County School District — to slow down.

A fifth heart attack convinced the 53-year-old it was time.

“I decided to scale back,” said Musial, who also oversees the Boosters’ membership drive and serves as its secretary. “I just had to slow down.”

It will be hard for her.

“I love those kids,” Musial said. “They breathe life into me. They’re inspiring.”

She’ll be missed behind the grill at football games, Boundary County Fair , customer appreciation days and other events where the Boosters serve up their fare of double cheeseburgers and hot dogs.

“Working along side Debbie is never a dull moment,” said parent Crista Davis, who volunteers in the concession stand during home football games. “She’s so dedicated to every child out there and not just her own. I’m sure she will still be involved in some way.”

For four years, Musial has overseen concession stand operations, which involves ordering the food, organizing volunteers and cooking.

“Sometimes the line is 10 deep — it’s more like chaos,” she said.

Musial also volunteers to oversee weekly tutoring sessions for all students in the school district. Students in National Honor Society work with students from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays, when school is not in session.

In 2006, Musial was named Panhandle State Bank’s Community Star. As part of the honor, the bank gives $1,000 to the recipient’s charity of choice.

A Detroit native, Musial suffered her first heart attack at age 38. Her only child, Joseph, now 19, was 3.

Five years ago, Musial had quadruple bypass surgery and three years ago, she had a pacemaker put in. After the recent heart attack, doctors put in a stint.

Although the most recent heart attack wasn’t serious, it was an eye opener. After having the heart attack at 1 a.m., Musial went to Boundary Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry and was transferred to Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene.

Musial got involved with school activities after her son started kindergarten. She volunteered at Valley View Elementary, Boundary County Middle School and then the high school.

“I wanted a way to follow him,” she joked. “If you keep your eyes on them, it’s a little harder to get away with things.”