Her family is deeply saddened to share that Deborah Stephenson Reed, of Orinda, passed away at home on Feb. 27 at age 54, due to complications of metastatic breast cancer.
Born to Robert K. and Nancy J. Stephenson on Sept. 14, 1969, Deb grew up in Davis, CA, and graduated from St. Francis Catholic High School in Sacramento. She graduated from Simmons College with a bachelor’s degree in American studies.
Deb and Mitch Reed met on the first day of ninth grade. Mitch was madly in love with her from the second he saw her beautiful smile and the incredible energy and humor that drew everyone to her. Once they began dating, they were together for the next 40 years. They married in June 1991, and were overjoyed to welcome the first of their wonderful daughters, Hannah Jane, in 1992. The family moved in 1996 to Northern California, Deb’s true home. Elizabeth Virginia joined the family in 1998. The family recently expanded further with the birth of grandchildren Oliver Joseph and Lilly Wolf Olson to Hannah and her husband Dr. Kyle Olson.
Deb packed more into her 54 years than most people could in 100. All who knew her will remember her as a force of nature. Deb would drop everything to solve any problem that a friend or family member had. She worked tirelessly as a social worker, volunteer and consultant, contributing her empathy and creativity to countless non-profit organizations. She pursued each of her interests with unbridled enthusiasm: composting, gardening, landscape and interior design and doggy hikes.
The years after her initial diagnosis in 2005 allowed Deb to raise her daughters, plan an amazing wedding for Hannah, know Ellie’s wonderful partner Riga, and fill her grandchildren’s lives with Gomma’s joy and craziness. She was a ringleader and entertainer, hosting epic parties with costume contests, talent shows and even a live piñata (a.k.a. Mitch). Even after her disease returned, Mitch and Deb continued to travel the world. Her family is grateful for that time, but the world will never be the same without her.
Deb is survived by her parents Robert (“Kim”) Stephenson and Nancy Stephenson, husband Mitch Reed, daughters Hannah (Kyle Olson) and Ellie (Riga Moettus), grandchildren Oliver and Lilly Olson, and siblings Bob Stephenson (Michiko Jameson), Jennifer Jones (Rich), and John Stephenson (Nathalie Jans), and a large extended family. Her faithful doggy companion Nacho never left her side.
Her family would like to recognize family friend Elle Stephens and Dr. Mark Moasser, Deb’s partners in fighting cancer for 20 years.
Deb loved flowers, but requested that those who wish to honor her make charitable contributions to organizations that are dear to them.
