Debbie sits at the head of the family table during passover in spring of 2011. Left to right, her nephew Yonah, her husband Ed, her sister-in-law Janice, and Debbie.
Debbie sits at the head of the family table during passover in spring of 2011. Left to right, her nephew Yonah, her husband Ed, her sister-in-law Janice, and Debbie.
She and her family vacation in Bethany Beach, Delaware.
She and her family vacation in Bethany Beach, Delaware.
Left to right, Ed, Debbie, Elliot, Erin, Shira, Dakota, Sara, Nick.
Left to right, Ed, Debbie, Elliot, Erin, Shira, Dakota, Sara, Nick.
Her daughter Shira, is the spitting image of her mother.
Her daughter Shira, is the spitting image of her mother.
She and her husband Ed, share a dance at a family wedding.
She and her husband Ed, share a dance at a family wedding.
Debbie has been diagnosed with a stage 4 glioblastoma, a particularly deadly form of brain cancer.
Debbie has been diagnosed with a stage 4 glioblastoma, a particularly deadly form of brain cancer.
During her illness, she remains active by swimming.
During her illness, she remains active by swimming.
Debbie's cancer is diagnosed in the first week of July 2012, and already by Labor Day her health has decreased so significantly she cannot walk without assistance.
Debbie's cancer is diagnosed in the first week of July 2012, and already by Labor Day her health has decreased so significantly she cannot walk without assistance.
Bracing for what's ahead.
Bracing for what's ahead.
The disease progresses at an alarming rate.
The disease progresses at an alarming rate.
Debbie and Ed in their backyard, Silver Spring, MD.
Debbie and Ed in their backyard, Silver Spring, MD.
Debbie, her mother Florence, and her daughter Shira. In a devastating turn of events, Debbie's brain tumor has come just as Florence is recovering from her own bout of a less aggressive form of brain cancer.
Debbie, her mother Florence, and her daughter Shira. In a devastating turn of events, Debbie's brain tumor has come just as Florence is recovering from her own bout of a less aggressive form of brain cancer.
Shira remains omnipresent throughout her mother's illness.
Shira remains omnipresent throughout her mother's illness.
Debbie enters the hospital midway through September. She is having extreme difficulty sleeping and eating.
Debbie enters the hospital midway through September. She is having extreme difficulty sleeping and eating.
Family take turns visiting her in the hospital. Her daughter-in-law Erin is pregnant with Debbie's first grandchild, Maya.
Family take turns visiting her in the hospital. Her daughter-in-law Erin is pregnant with Debbie's first grandchild, Maya.
Pictures of family adorn the walls.
Pictures of family adorn the walls.
Ed holds court, livening things up in the hospital room.
Ed holds court, livening things up in the hospital room.
Debbie is soothed by Sherry and Kate, two of her best friends, from high school and college, respectively.
Debbie is soothed by Sherry and Kate, two of her best friends, from high school and college, respectively.
Family gathers to watch the first of three presidential debates between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in the hospital waiting room.
Family gathers to watch the first of three presidential debates between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in the hospital waiting room.
Ed's main support throughout Debbie's illness is likely his big-brother Herb.
Ed's main support throughout Debbie's illness is likely his big-brother Herb.
Debbie is wheeled into a hospice room at the hospital.
Debbie is wheeled into a hospice room at the hospital.
Debbie's son Elliot and his pregnant wife Erin process Debbie's move to hospice.
Debbie's son Elliot and his pregnant wife Erin process Debbie's move to hospice.
Ed, Debbie, Shira, Erin, and Elliot gather surrounded by a room full of family for Shabbat.
Ed, Debbie, Shira, Erin, and Elliot gather surrounded by a room full of family for Shabbat.
Ed kisses his wife for the last time. Debbie passes away October 6, 2012, just about 95 days after her initial diagnosis.
Ed kisses his wife for the last time. Debbie passes away October 6, 2012, just about 95 days after her initial diagnosis.
The day after Debbie passes, Rabbi Stone pays a home visit.
The day after Debbie passes, Rabbi Stone pays a home visit.
Ed and Shira visit the funeral home to make preparations for the funeral.
Ed and Shira visit the funeral home to make preparations for the funeral.
A collage of Debbie made by her daughter Shira many years prior.
A collage of Debbie made by her daughter Shira many years prior.
In accordance with Jewish tradition, the funeral is held within days of Debbie's passing.
In accordance with Jewish tradition, the funeral is held within days of Debbie's passing.
Dust to dust.
Dust to dust.
The family sits a traditional Shiva, mourning the death for 7 days.
The family sits a traditional Shiva, mourning the death for 7 days.
Debra Shalowitz Levy: July 7, 1953 - October 6, 2012
Debra Shalowitz Levy: July 7, 1953 - October 6, 2012
Debbie, Memorial Day weekend 2012.
Debbie, Memorial Day weekend 2012.