Deborah Anderson

It is with a heavy, sorrowful heart that I share with you the news of my mother, Deborah

Anderson, passing at the age of 83. She will be sadly missed and will always live in our hearts;

she was a wonderful mother and had many friends who thought of her as caring, supportive and

loving.

Born in Baltimore, MD but raised in Washington, DC, my mother's career ranged from Nursing

to Communications and Media, from assisting the Buyers' Office of two leading, luxury

department stores to ultimately serving as the Legislative Assistant for the Maryland House of

Delegates, Judiciary Committee and its Chairman, Joseph F. Vallario, Jr. Her commitment to

Public Service and Education was mirrored only by her avid love for the arts and all creative

processes. It was her engagement in creative activities that introduced her children, both Karen

and me, to the creative expression that helped us articulate and form feelings and impressions

to think critically about the world.

Physically, she experienced the usual health maintenance issues of aging, most recently, her

fourth and final joint replacement surgery (both hips/both knees) in June 2022. The outstanding

health challenge was her breast cancer diagnosis in 2015 -- just this year, her ninth year in

remission was confirmed! Her most recent health issues were due more to medical negligence

and geriatric indifference than ill health. We are all of a certain age and we understand geriatric

healthcare is at a criminally, all-time low. To this, she planned to galvanize and organize state

representation and participation in the Geriatric Healthcare lobby. Unfortunately, her unforeseen

passing, while certainly attributed to the will of God, also begs the question: How did a chronic

situation - easily curable - become terminal in the space of three days?

I have been with "Ma" for the past seven years, and with many highs and lows, as we became

closer in age, we came into an understanding of "correction" and "connection". I say,

"correction" because as we were continuously moving from the mother-and-child caregiver

relationship to its inversion, we found that we could "connect" at a level above our individual

flaws and discover a way to connect, correctly and support each other through COVID, joint

replacements, cancer, two major deaths, and the challenges of aging in the 21st century.

It is my choice that no funeral or memorial service will be held, it is more important to me that

"Ma" receive your prayers than your presence. Also, and again, all of us being of a certain age,

the idea of a 'ceremonial gathering' seems insensitive when one considers what may be

happening in the lives of others. Again, your prayers are most important since you all are,

already, present in her heart. I invite you to donate to Ma's leading charity, American Society

(https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/In-Loving-memory-of-Deborah-Young-Anderson

), OR a one-time donation at your place of worship in the name of "Deborah Young Anderson",

in place of sending flowers, etc.

It is written, “Say not in grief, 'she is no more' but in thankfulness that she was.” Ma, I will

continue to celebrate your life in all that I do and I am so grateful for you. I know you are

at peace now, and as we praise our Creator, we see you in His infinite love, Light, and

wholeness. Rest well, dear one!