Deborah Ann Thompson's Obituary
Deborah Ann (Sarley) Thompson
July 23, 1950 to August 6, 2021
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
— unknown
We feel her smile, laughter, and hugs all around. It’s impossible to believe that she is not here with us. Instead, we carry her in our hearts with the determination she had in hers, choosing to remember the happiness and love that she shared with us.
If you asked what was most important in her life, she would most certainly tell you, family. Mother, wife, grammy, sister, and friend—she was so much to so many.
She followed her dreams wherever they took her, and we followed right along. Her sense of adventure had us living on farms in Missouri and Virginia, then on the water in Florida. Her boundless energy (how could someone so small, have such endless reserves?) and love of real estate saw us turning (often run down…) houses into homes.
When we think of her, we remember all the wonderful experiences we shared together. Annual Christmas tree hunts, cookie baking, ornament making, marshmallow roasting, warm summer days in the garden (and a winter full of canned goods to remind us of summer!), sun-filled days at the beach, cold winter nights on the farm waking up to baby lambs being bottle-fed and warmed in our home. And so, so many meals and cookouts filled with laughter, family, and friends—and her (dare we say world-famous?) lasagna, homemade ice cream, fresh-cut watermelon slices, and warm strawberry rhubarb pie. Though we lost her way too soon, we know she rests in peace having lived a well-loved life.
She is survived by a family she loved and adored including her husband of 50 years, Randal Thompson. Her daughter Janelle Thompson Caplan and husband Michael Caplan, and their children Taylor, Molly, Spencer, and Jonah. Her daughter Kimberly Thompson Panay and husband Panos A. Panay, and their children Lydia and Zoe. Her son Seth Thompson and wife Jessica Dru Thompson, and their daughter Deidre. Her sister Rebecca Brown and husband Martin Brown and family. And her cousins Brian Mahler, and Marcia Mahler.
She is preceded in death by her parents Joseph Michael Sarley and Beverly Jean Sarley, her aunt and uncle Arthur Mahler and Mary Ann Sarley Mahler, and her brothers Gregory Sarley and Joel Sarley.
Condolences and messages of support may be sent to the family at 2473 La Condesa Drive,
Los Angeles, CA 90049. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Pulmonary
Fibrosis Foundation in her memory by visiting:
https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/PFFTribute/DeborahThompson
And if you would like to celebrate her life further you can walk with us to raise awareness about
pulmonary fibrosis, the disease that took her from us. Coordinated by the Pulmonary Fibrosis
Foundation, this annual event takes place this year on September 25, 2021 during pulmonary
fibrosis awareness month. More information on how to join our group can be found here
https://secure.qgiv.com/event/20pwal/team/883786/ or you can reach Kimberly at
[email protected].
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