Our beloved mother, Deborah Victoria Willis Reilly Westmoreland, aged 70, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in her home in Virginia Beach, Virginia on January 23, 2026. Deborah, Debbie, Deb, Mom, Gigi – known by many names, she was a singular gift to the world.
Deborah was born the morning of Monday, February 28, 1955, at the US Naval Hospital in San Diego, California. The youngest of Rosalie and Everett Willis’ eight children, she was a world traveler by age five, as her father’s naval career took the family on adventures around the globe. Deborah lived on both U.S. coasts, Ohio, Hawaii, and Japan but spent most of her life in Montgomery County, Maryland, and Virginia Beach, Virginia. She had a great mind. She journeyed quickly into adulthood, graduating early from high school, becoming the youngest real estate broker in Montgomery County by age 21, and opening Spirit Realty, her own real estate business, shortly thereafter. A successful broker, agent, and appraiser for almost 50 years, and she built lasting relationships in the business world.
Debbie’s relationship with God was transcendent. From youth, her faith and passion for God carried her through the happiest and most difficult times of her life. She was a diligent, Biblical scholar but found the truth of God through a direct relationship with Yahweh, and in love – love for her family, love for friends, and love of life. Her spiritual connection was tangible, and she was a witness and prayer warrior to so many.
Deb was known for many things, but her greatest passions, after her enduring love of God, were her children and grandchildren. She was known to five as “Mom” and five as “Gigi” and was surrogate mom and grandmom to many others. There was never a lack of space in her heart or home – she was always ready and quick with a hug, joke, meal, and prayer for anyone who needed. She never met a stranger. A joyful, encouraging, and good-hearted comedian, she could make you laugh with a witty phrase or a silly gesture. She was a fantastic cook with an extra seat at her table for anyone who stopped by. She knew exactly what everyone’s favorite meals were, and our lives revolved around the kitchen cooking, dancing, laughing, talking, and spending time together. Her infectious dancing and contagious love of music could turn any gathering into a dance party.
Mom loved gardening and nurturing the wildlife around her. It was as if plants grew just to be close to her, and she was known for leaving hair clippings in the yard for the birds so that “their nests would be soft”. She had an incredible connection to nature and saw, with wonder, God’s intricate design all around her.
She also loved to travel and still had many more locations on her bucket list. Some notable trips included Raleigh, Philadelphia, New York, Miami, New Orleans, and her favorite location Cape May, New Jersey.
Gigi cherished her family relationships and friendships, developing them at each stage of her life, with many of these lasting throughout. She loved her siblings earnestly and was extremely close to her nieces and nephews, always lending an ear or a helping hand to those who asked.
Debbie is survived by her children, Dawn Maureen Reilly-O’Dell (James Melton O’Dell, IV), Sarah Andrea Reilly (husband Santiago Vilar Varela), William “Abe” Abraham Westmoreland, Emily Hope Westmoreland, and Gabriel Owen Westmoreland (wife Victoria Westmoreland) and her grandchildren, Jack Thomas Reilly O’Dell, Olivia Grace Westmoreland, Soleil Jane Vilar Reilly, Noah Owen Westmoreland, Sylas Gael Vilar Reilly, and Nicholas Elijah Westmoreland. She is also survived by her brothers, Everett Willis, II (wife Sandra Willis) and Michael Willis, and her sisters Rosemarie Morehead and Karen Bulgarino. She also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Westmoreland, her beloved mother and friend, Rosalie Willis, her dearly missed father, Everett Willis, and her brothers, Brian Moran and Joseph Moran, and sister, Dianna Stookey.
Mom taught us to find beauty in the mundane, joy in the difficult times, and peace in knowing God. We cherish these gifts and know she is happy and dancing in heaven, but we really wish we could have more time with her, here, on earth. No words could ever fully describe the love and the loss, but we hold each other as we push ahead.
A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 4-8pm at the Southside Chapel of Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5033 Rouse Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23462.
