Deborah Kaye Shipp-Tolson

1955 - 2021

Debbie Tolson, 66, of Mt. Airy, MD passed away from her brief battle with cancer on July 6, 2021, surrounded by the care and love of her family. Debbie was born in Nurnberg, Germany, at a U.S. Army Hospital base on January 9, 1955, to the late Murray and Bessie Shipp. After her mother's passing in 1960 her father Murray, eldest sister Sharon, brother Dean and youngest sister Kathy resided in Bakersfield, CA. When Debbie's father passed away in 1966, Sharon and Dean raised Debbie and Kathy. Sharon then moved her family and her sisters to Maryland in 1966. Debbie was a 1973 graduate of Albert Einstein High School in Montgomery County. After graduation, Debbie raised her sons Jamie, Jason, and Christopher. For years, she provided friends and family with extraordinary daycare while raising her own sons. A true sports mom, she also spent countless days and nights on the MAYAA football, basketball, baseball fields and concession stands. Debbie started a new career in 2009 when she took on the Activities Aide position at the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Mt. Airy, MD. She loved planning the bingos and holiday celebrations for the residents. She was a True Hometown Hero working during COVID when the pandemic started until this past March when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She will always be remembered for her big heart, her contagious smile, and the ability to make others feel good about themselves. Debbie is proceeded in death by her Father, SGT Murray Elmo Shipp, her mother, Bessie Morene Turner-Shipp, her brother Murray Dean Shipp, her sister Kathy Fern Shipp and her niece Sandra Harich. She is survived by her sister Sharon Morningstar, sons, Jamie Harich and wife Amy, Jason Harich, wife Chasity, Christopher Tolson and her pride and joy, grandsons Layne, Wylan, James Turner (J.T.), and Dylan Harich and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Bazzi and his staff at Progressive Oncology in Frederick, MD, to the Hospice of the Panhandle in WV, and to the many friends and family who walked with her on her final journey. In accordance with her wishes, the family will receive friends during a Celebration of Life on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, from 4-9pm at the Mt. Airy Volunteer Fire Company Reception Hall, 1008 Twin Arch Road, Mt. Airy, MD 21771 In lieu of flowers, the family requests as an expression of sympathy, that memorial donations may be made to Pleasant View Nursing Home, 4101 Old National Pike, Mt. Airy, MD 21777 Attn: Business Office for the Activities Fund in Debbie Tolson's Honor.