Deborah (“Debbie”) Anderson Webber, '59

My husband, Tom Webber, graduated from the University of Michigan in 1963. I graduated from C. W. Post College in 1964. We married in 1965. I remember my mother saying, "Deborah, I give it six months." It's been 51 years...........I had to prove her wrong! After I graduated college, the Denver, Colorado Welfare Department hired me. Tom had been drafted and was stationed at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital, so that's how we met.

After lots of moving around we settled in Sarasota, Florida. We have three children: one son is a US Army Colonel; one son is an architect in Orlando; and our daughter is a Marketing Strategist for the Tampa Bay Times. They've given us three grandsons.

Although Tom and I are both retired, we stay very active in our Sarasota community. Tom is a 'Project Leader' with Habitat for Humanity; I tutor 6th grade math, every day, at a Title One Middle School. Also, I am an Associate Director of a non-profit called Brothers and Sisters Doing the Right Thing. You can read about us in article I wrote that the Chronicle of Social Change recently published at https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/opinion/fifteen-years-later-sarasotas-neediest-children-not-left-behind/18567

I keep busy in the summer months by making over 1,200 Christmas Stockings which, after being filled with candy donated by local churches, our police distribute to the students at Christmas........one great way for kids to learn police are not to be "feared" and vice versa. We also give out over 300+ stockings to those enjoying Christmas Dinner at our downtown Salvation Army. If you want to 'give' and feel great, I would highly recommend such projects. Keep busy and be grateful that life has dealt you a good hand!

Tom's 100-year-old mother, and our 25-year-old grandson, live with us. Two of his friends lived with us for five years after they and their family were evicted from their home. Now they both have jobs and a small apartment. My life is busy, and sometimes hectic, but I love it!