Deborah Kay Kepferle, beloved wife of Michael Roy Kepferle and dear mother and confidant of Kaci, Megan and Chase, passed away suddenly from an acute asthma attack at her home near NAS Patuxent River, Md., March 13, 2015. She was 63.
Deb was friend and mom to so many in this world and stayed in close contact with her friends from Whidbey and other areas of Washington state over the years.
After her 18-year-old son, Pat, died in 2000, she became the glue that held her family and his friends together. She wrote letters and cards every single day, and her unique rounded writing style was immediately recognizable by all who were fortunate enough to stay in contact with her. She was a second mother to many teenagers and young adults and loved them all without reserve.
She co-founded the Meningitis Prevention and Awareness Children’s Trust (MPACTrust) in 2001, which later became the National Meningitis Association. She was one of a small group of moms who participated in a public relations campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of meningitis and the availability of a vaccine. Known as “Moms on Meningitis,” the Public Service Announcement (PSA) was recognized with a national “Telly” award for one of the best television PSAs in 2003. Although she was active in the organization for a few years, her heart was really with her extended family of “kids” whom she counseled, comforted and extolled depending on what she thought they needed to heal them. She was truly an ever-present force in so many young lives.
Deb was born in Yakima Oct. 25, 1951, and raised on an apple ranch, the oldest daughter of Albert and Opal Waltman. She was an active Navy wife who lived in Oak Harbor until moving with her family to Southern Maryland in 1984. She is survived by her husband, Mike; daughter, Kaci Kepferle Garland (Chris) of Baltimore, Md.; daughter, Megan; and son, Chase, of Lexington Park, Md. She has one grandson, Patrick Daniel Garland. Her father, Albert; sister, Kathie Chartier (Larry); nephew, Ian; and niece, Bella, of Yakima, also survive her. Her oldest son, Joseph “Pat,” and mother, Opal “Susie” Estes Waltman, preceded her in death.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Solomons, Md. A reception will follow in the school hall. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations in Deb’s name be sent to the Pat Kepferle Friendship Memorial Scholarship Trust, 22910 Chestnut Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653, or to any charity of choice in her memory. An evening memorial celebration for both Deb and Pat Kepferle and scholarship fundraiser is also planned for the evening of March 28 at the Elements Eatery and Mixology, 46580 Expedition Drive, in Lexington Park, Md., for any family and friends who wish to attend and share memories of Deb. Doors will open at 5 p.m.
