Deborah Maria Thompson's Obituary
Dr. Deborah Maria Thompson was born on May 4, 1958, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to William and Hazel Thompson.
Deborah began her education at Immaculate Conception School in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, where she excelled academically. Her family often marveled at her ability to study, keep up with multiple television shows, and still earn straight A’s. Among her favorite programs were Star Trek, Dark Shadows, and General Hospital. She went on to attend Philadelphia High School for Girls, graduating as a member of the 220th class.
Fulfilling her dream of becoming a physician, Deborah enrolled in Howard University’s BS/MD program, earning her medical degree in 1982. She completed her residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Following her training, Deborah moved to Logansport, Louisiana, where she fulfilled her commitment to serve in a rural community and repay the Public Health Service loan that supported her education.
Deborah met the love of her life, Omer Abadir, during her freshman year at Howard University. They were married on May 29, 1982. From this union, three children were born: Adam Omer, Alia Marie, and Amira Ayesha.
After completing her service in Logansport, Deborah returned to the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area, where she spent 33 years as a dedicated physician with Kaiser Permanente, caring for generations of Maryland families. She and Omer made their home in Mitchellville, Maryland, where they built a life centered on family, service, and community.
In her younger years, Deborah enjoyed playing the piano, baking cookies, and crocheting. She was an avid reader with a particular love for Black romance novels, often finishing a book in a single day. Her shelves held hundreds of books, many of which she shared with her family. As a mother, she instilled a lifelong love of reading in her children, encouraged them to travel internationally, and ensured they took pride in their history, themselves, and one another.
Deborah was also a proud supporter of African American art and history, as well as charitable causes, including the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Howard University, local library systems, and Biblioteca Luz in El Salvador.
Deborah was preceded in death by her parents, William and Hazel Thompson; her brother, William Thompson, Jr.; and her beloved husband, Omer Abadir.
She departed this life in the early hours of April 9, 2026, joining her ancestors.
She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Adam (Marly), Alia, and Amira; her siblings: Mike, Lisa, and Donna (Anthony); her uncle, William Logan (Lois); her brother and sisters-in-love: Ali (Konjit), Fozia, Alawey, and a host of extended family and loved ones.
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