Our Lord and Savior called His faithful servant to her heavenly home on Monday, November 13, 2023 at the age of 64 years. She passed away peacefully in her sleep in her family home surrounded by her most favorite keepsakes.
Deborah "Debi" Eileen Shanahan was born in Washington, DC to the late Delores Carol Lowe on April 02, 1959. She was adopted just a few short months later by Lewis Edward & Pearl Isabel Early. Soon after, the family moved to Oahu, HI for a few years which would leave a lasting impression.
Debi accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age during a youth revival. This sparked a fire in her heart to share Jesus with the world. She enjoyed attending youth group gatherings and reading her Bible. From that day forward, she was forever changed and would go on to share her beautiful testimony of God's love and grace throughout her lifetime. She was a faithful servant who loved the Lord with all her heart and soul.
Debi graduated from Severna Park High School's class of 1977. She would later advance her education and attain her certification in Early Childhood Education at Prince George's Community College. She immediately began working for Anne Arundel County government after graduating from high school. Two years later she met her husband and said goodbye to the county government and began her next series of adventures.
Debi would later meet a young man named, Pat in 1978 in Greenbelt, MD. The moment he laid his eyes on her from that balcony, it was love at first sight. Together they began their lifelong romance and made lasting memories. She immediately embraced Pat's 2-year-old son and loved on him as if he was her very own. The two worked together on their chuck wagon business until they later opened their "Almost Home" Christian Daycare Center in their home. She was a very diligent caregiver. Her loving and welcoming spirit along with her deep love for children fueled her passion for childcare. She would successfully run the daycare center for twenty years until her health would no longer allow it. In 2004, Pat would start a new business "Artistic Landscaping" with her at his side. From the very beginning she was the brains of their operation and maintained her secretarial duties. She was extremely knowledgeable and took pride in applying her best work in all she did.
Debi married the love of her life at Cape Saint Claire Methodist Church in 1982 in Annapolis, MD and happily married for 41 years. They started their family in Lanham, MD before Debi kidnapped Pat and returned to her childhood home in Annapolis where she would live out her remaining days. Together they created a beautiful family she had always prayed for since she was a little girl. Five children and eight grandchildren whom she adored and raised in the admonition of the Lord. She was a caring woman who spent her entire life loving on her family and serving others. She surrounded herself with her grandchildren where she felt the greatest joy. They were her entire world.
Debi was the life of the party. Her love was unconditional, endless, and so pure. Her laugh was contagious. She loved attending her home church, studying the Bible, diving into her daily devotionals, and sharing her faith. She found joy showing off her angel collection that she so eloquently displayed in her home. She enjoyed watching Hallmark movies, the beach, taking pictures, craft-shows, cooking, dancing, visiting new places to eat, and traveling especially to Florida, Hawaii, and Lancaster, PA. She absolutely loved going to Sight & Sound as often as she could and decorating her seasonal tree that she kept up year-round. In her last ninety days, God gave her incredible strength to live out her final months to the fullest. She spent her time loving on her family doing what she loved most. Her last moment was spent sitting in her favorite chair wrapped in her Snoopy blanket surrounded by all the family photos she had captured throughout the years. She was an exceptional woman who displayed love and kindness, an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and the best grammy. She was loved by so many and an inspiration to all who knew her. SHE WILL BE MISSED GREATLY!!!! Her legacy will live on in all our hearts always.
Debi was preceded in death by her birth mother, Delores Lowe and her adopted parents, Lewis & Pearl Early. She leaves behind to cherish her memory: her beloved husband Lawrence "Pat" Shanahan, son Ryan, son Christopher, daughter Jaclyn, son Rajah (daughter-in-law Jennifer), daughter Holly (son-in-law Danny Jr.), and daughter Kelly. Her pride and joy were her beautiful grandchildren Alexia, Kayleigh, Jazmyn, Taliya, Danny III, Josiah, Jacob, Addisyn, coming soon Deborah Noelle Grace and Brayden Ray Patrick. Her brother Doug Early and sisters; Karen Dyer, Jodi Eirich, Annie Yates Collins, Tracey Kail, and Jennifer Staub. A host of nieces, nephews, and close friends. All of whom she loved and touched dearly.
For now, in our flesh, we will keep her tremendous love full in our hearts. And soon, we will reunite with her high above in His Perfect Heaven. We love you!!!!

Family and friends may visit on Tuesday November 21, 2023 from 12:00pm-1:00pm with a service to follow from 1:00pm-2:00pm at Bay Area Community Church 884 Chesterfield Rd Annapolis, MD 21401. Interment at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery.