Debbie was born the second child of Leon “Gruts” and Elsie (Kilmer) Lopeman on Nov. 15, 1951 in Port Townsend, Washington and passed away at her home, overlooking Sequim Bay after complications from a stroke due to a brief battle with cancer.
She was born in Port Townsend and raised in Hadlock. She graduated in 1969 from Chimacum High School as co-valedictorian and played alto saxophone in the band, was a member of FHA, Girls Club and the Torch Honor Society. After graduation, she attended Central Washington University from 1969-1970. She met her husband, Gary Louis Buchillo, through family and were married at the Masonic Hall in Port Townsend on July 11, 1970, on her maternal grandmother and grandfather’s wedding anniversary. Debbie and Gary just recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and while the pandemic put a damper on their plans for a gathering, they were still able to see family and friends via Zoom. They moved to the house on East Sequim Bay in 1972 and started their family. It was a great house near the beach to raise their three girls, Kirsten, Hillary and Andrea, who were able to care for her at home before her passing. After working at Nolan’s restaurant in Sequim for several years, Debbie started volunteering at Helen Haller Elementary School when her youngest daughter, Andrea, started kindergarten and was hired as a teacher’s assistant in 1986 shortly thereafter. She then went on to become the school secretary and retired 31 years later. She was well known by students and staff who called her “the heart of Helen Haller” and “a bright beautiful light” who brought smiles, calmness and kindness to the school every day.
Debbie enjoyed spending time with family and friends in Hawaii. She was able to visit the tropical islands many times and called Kona her home away from home.
She is survived by her husband Gary of Sequim; her daughters, Kirsten (Jason) Hammer of Port Townsend, Hillary (Ingvar) Ivarson of Ellensburg and Andrea (Jarin) Gagner of Sequim; grandchildren Kayla Taylor and Austen Hammer of Port Townsend, Sean, McKenna and Konner Ivarson of Ellensburg, and Marli and Paxtin Gagner of Sequim. She is also survived by her mother Elsie (Kilmer) Lopeman; siblings Dan Lopeman, Chris (Janet) Lopeman, and Becky Fernandes, all of Hadlock; and also one niece and nephew. She is preceded in death by her father, Leon “Gruts” Lopeman.
As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Debbie had faith in the Bible’s hope of the resurrection. Her family and friends look forward to seeing her again in the paradise earth.
A memorial service for Debbie will be held at a future date. Arrangements are by Kosec’s Funeral Home in Port Townsend; please visit www.kosecfh.com to share your memories of Debbie. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to an organization of your choice. Inurnment will be at Shine Cemetery.
