Deborah Jane (Andrews) (Mossman) Burch, 81 of Mechanicsville, MD, died on November 1, 2010 at Taylor Farm Assisted Living, Bushwood, MD.

Born June 30, 1929 in East Orange NJ to the late Ethel Robinson (Stretch) Andrews and William Otis Andrews, Sr. She attended high school in Scituate MA where, as a member of the track team, she ran (and usually won) the 50 yard dash. She also was a member of the basket ball and field hockey teams. She was active in the Girl Scouts and taught swimming lessons at Girl Scout summer camps during her high school and college years. Debbie graduated from Smith College, Northampton MA in 1951 with a major in music. She married David L. Mossman MD, with whom she had 10 children, in 1951.

Debbie and David lived in Gardner MA, Burlington VT, Oklahoma City OK, and Manhattan KS before settling in Mechanicsville MD in 1959.

She married Samuel B. Burch in 1979.

Debbie was a founding member of St. Mary's County Community Theater and was also heavily involved in the Mechanicsville Elementary School PTA in the 1960's. She spent countless hours assembling costumes for school plays and Halloween, making cakes and cookies for bake sales, transporting children to and from school, dance and music lessons, band and chorus rehearsals, concerts and vacation bible school, knitting sweaters, socks, mittens and hats, reading, gardening, swimming, and listening to classical music. She and Sam loved to travel and took many trips all over the world during their years together. Her children inherited many of her talents, her love of music and books, her elegant swimming stroke, and her commitment to providing a caring, fun-filled and stimulating environment for her family.

Debbie had a second home in Salida CO. While there she enjoyed listening to the BeeGees, spending time with her family, sipping tuaca on the rocks, running errands and shopping for antiques. She always had a smile and a warm hug or perhaps a swat on the bottom ready. She loved Salida - her "home in the mountains".

From 1990 to 2000 she cared for her mother, Ethel (Betty) Andrews, in the home she shared with Sam.

Debbie was pre-deceased by David in 1993 and Sam in 2001.

She is survived by her brother William O. Andrews, Jr. and wife Carol, Greensboro NC and her sister Mary A. Lally and husband Dick, Alexandria NH; her children, Jane E. Clark and husband Chuck, Wilbraham MA, Victoria Van Eendenburg and husband John, Bloomington MN, Mary M. Mandy, Vero Beach FL, Vanessa L. Rice and husband John, Gettysburg PA, Andrew L. Mossman and wife Teri, Advance NC, Hannah D. Haas and husband John, Abell MD, Ruth S. Hein and husband Milt, Charlotte Hall MD, Priscilla M. Ross and husband Robert, Florence MA, Peter C. Mossman, Salida CO and George A. Mossman and wife Andrea, Salida CO; 24 grandchildren, 1.5 great-grandchildren, 5 nieces, 6 nephews and her dearest friend Sandy Stone Linker.

She also leaves 12 step-children - Christopher, Glen, Phillip, Dennis, Janis, Bruce, Gregory, Leslie, Erin, Stephen, Timothy and Daniel Burch - and 3 grandchildren from her marriage to Sam.

There will be private burial. Family visitation will be held at Debbie's lifelong home, 38198 Lockes Crossing Road, Mechanicsville MD on Saturday November 13 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations to one of the following charities be made in her memory to; Alzheimer's Association, Southern Maryland Office, PO Box 1889, LaPlata, MD 20646, Hospice of St. Mary's, POB 625, Leonardtown MD 20650, and/or Planned Parenthood, Waldorf Health Center, 3975 St. Charles Parkway, Gateway Plaza E3 & E4, Waldorf MD 20602.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield Funeral Home.