Debra Leahy - Obituary

ebra Wallace Leahy, 64, a 20 year resident of Annapolis and formerly of Hillcrest Heights, MD, died on Wednesday, September 18 at home with family by her side. Born June 19, 1949 in Seattle, WA to the late William Wesley Wallace and Ellen Wallace (McKinney), she attended Anacostia High School in Washington, DC, graduated with a History Degree from the University of Denver, and attended the College of William and Mary for her graduate degree. Debbie worked for the National Archives and Records Administration for 35 years before retiring. Her archival experience included positions in the Legislative Records Branch, the Office of Federal Records Centers, and in the Office of the Archivist. She was a longtime member of the nation’s oldest academic honor society, the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Being an avid reader, she enjoyed two book clubs and found time for family genealogical research, crocheting, travel, walking, gardening and loving her family and their two dogs Susie and Gracie. She is survived by her husband of 37 years, James Michael Leahy; one son, Stephen Michael Conor Leahy of Annapolis; two brothers, David (Merry) Wallace of Sacramento, CA and Steven Wallace of Lafayette, CO; one sister, Ann Petersen of Tulare, CA; sister-in-law, Patricia (Jerry) Whitmer; brother-in-law, Daniel (Rose) Leahy and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Services and interment are private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory are recommended to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, 2501 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 435, Dallas, Texas 75219 or the Animal Resource Foundation (ARF), PO Box 396, Chester, MD 21619. An online guestbook is available at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com.