Deborah Garde

Deborah Garde

The world will have to stumble on with a little less sunshine, for the family and 500 friends of brave, beautiful Deborah Garde, who shoved-off for Heaven, snuggly wrapped in blankets of their love and prayers, on a snowy December 8th. Just days before, she was kissed by the first to ever kiss her, mom, Marie Stumpf. Kissed more by her sisters, Laurie Saathoff, Joanne Thomas, Carolyn Roberts and sister-in-law, JoAnne Dressel, who along with spouses and cousins, gathered in close for good bye. Present in spirit were her brother, Jon Stewart, who preceded her, and her dad, Edward M. Stewart, for whom she was caregiver in his last years. What a grand life. Deb graduated from University of Pittsburgh, later enjoying a long and justly valued accounting career at the Allens' law firm in Richmond. In her years she served as Sunday school teacher, elder, and treasurer of her beloved Westminister Presbyterian Church. Deb won awards for her indefatigable volunteer work at Children's Hospital of Richmond, where she met her husband Walt, and together, you could say they had too many children to name here, just not their own. Deb devoured the written word, a passion she shared in a lively cluster of book clubs, eventually founding one of her own, which still thrives. She was a life-long pianist and organist, who played and sang for us on our birthdays, and a pretty successful amateur match maker too. She was an avid if untidy gardener, who knew how to blow into an acorn cap, and make it whistle so loud you winced. She shared her story with everyone she met, and listened carefully to theirs, with amazing recall, especially for the lives of their kids, and enjoyed showing up for each ones' milestones, when able. The sum of it all: a brilliant galaxy of relationships, which was her treasure. She deserved so much more time. We craved so much more of her incredible verve. Deborah lived to love and spread joy.

A memorial service is planned for February 14, 2026, at 5 p.m. We'll meet at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4103 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA, to honor Deb and honor all of you, for your kindness so freely spent.