
Debra Helene Pressman
On the evening of April 24, 2024, Debra Helene Pressman peacefully passed away in her home, surrounded by loved ones. At age 70, after 20 years of managing Parkinson's Disease symptoms, Debra died from the natural progression of the disease. Through to the end of her life, Debra maintained her humor, grace, spunk, and loving, gracious heart. May we remember her timeless essence this way.
Debra is survived by her husband Daniel Shifflett, who has provided her with abundant love, care, and adventure since they met in 2003. Together, they enjoyed being outdoors, walking, kayaking, traveling, listening to music, cooking, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. They were married in 2010 and created a warm, welcoming, and colorful home in a forested neighborhood in Charlottesville. Daniel dedicated himself to ensuring Debbie had paramount love, care, and comfort throughout her illness.
Debra is deeply adored and missed by all who love her, especially her three grown children, Rachel, Sam, and Will Gimbel; their respective spouses, Graham "Ocean" Huff, Taylor Blakin, and Jenny Horn Gimbel; and her two grandchildren, Andros and Avishai. She is also survived and deeply missed by her sisters, Mindy and Lisa, her nephew Lucas, and her nieces Risa and Miriam.
Debra Pressman was born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 19, 1953, to her late parents, Stanley Pressman and Ritalee Woronoff. Her mother passed away when she was 8 years old and her father married Charlotte Bomstein, who raised her and her four siblings.
Debbie studied at the University of Virginia and received a degree in Speech Pathology. While living in Charlottesville, Debbie met Woodrow Gimbel. They moved to Baltimore to be close to the Pressman family, where they married and had three children. They later moved their young family back to Charlottesville and fostered their baby nephew Lucas after the tragic passing of Debbie's sister, Ilene. A dedicated and fiercely loving mother, Debbie raised four children with a commitment to health, education, social justice, loving-kindness, integrity, and unwavering heart-guided values. When the kids were older, she joined the team at ScholarOne, a local software company, and mastered many new skills working with editors and staff of scholarly journals. She retired in 2010 when her Parkinson's symptoms made it difficult to work.
Loved by many dear friends, they knew her to be caring and generous; down-to-earth and fun, with a playful and dry sense of humor; committed to justice and integrity; creative, with a keen eye for beauty and style; vastly intelligent and always seeking to learn new skills; and a voracious reader. Debbie enjoyed many rich years of gardening, making jewelry, pottery, photography, cooking, running long distances, hiking, traveling, and writing.
Providing service as a community leader and educator, Debbie was a founding member of Chevrei Tzedek, a Jewish congregation in Baltimore; founding organizer of a local Parkinson's support group; active member of the Parkinson's Action Network and Michael J. Fox Foundation; and a passionate natural childbirth education instructor.
Debra was an inspiration and support to those whose lives she touched. May her memory be a blessing. May the One who brings Peace and Love to the Universe bring Peace and Love to us all. Amen.
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Remembering Debra Helene Pressman
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