Debra Ann Roper

It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Debra Ann Roper (Esslinger), age 59, who died peacefully in her home on March 23, 2025 after a valiant and courageous yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer.

Debra was born on May 28th, 1965 in Fairbanks, Alaska to James and Sarah Esslinger where they lived until moving to California in 1967, and then settling in Lacey, Washington in 1969. After attending Olympic View Elementary and Nisqually Middle school, Debra then graduated from Timberline High School in Lacey in 1983.

Throughout elementary and middle school, Debra excelled in athletics with her exceptional speed, strength and agility earning her many awards. Her athletic skills then progressed even further in high school where she advanced from Freshman Basketball to the Varsity Basketball team as one of their most valuable players. Not only was she a high-scoring team member in most games, but she was quickly given the nickname “Rabbit” by her classmates due to her incredible speed on the basketball court. She was also a member of the girls’ Varsity Softball Team at Timberline as a notable, outstanding player.

Debra attended South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia where she graduated in 1987 with an Administrative Associate’s Degree. She was employed by the Department of Natural Resources as an Administrative Secretary from December, 1988 to October, 2004, and worked for the Department of Health from October, 2004 until her retirement in November of 2024 as an Administrative Assistant.

On November 10th in 1990, she married the love of her life, Carl Roper whom she met at work. They shared the next 34 years together until the moment of her passing. During Debra’s yearlong battle with cancer, Carl devotedly took care of her and never left her side.

Debra held a strong passion for long distance running and ran many full marathons which included proudly running and finishing in the fateful 2013 Boston City Marathon. She also enjoyed the memorable times shared with her husband and their children throughout the years while traveling, camping, and fishing and clam digging.

Those who knew Debra will remember her for her infectious smile along with her unwavering kindness and love that she spread to anyone around her. She had a gift for making others smile and laugh with her great sense of humor leaving a lasting impact on them with her adoring spirit.

Debra is survived and forever loved and cherished by her husband Carl Roper and their children Natalie Sarah and Cameron James along with her 5 month-old grandson Cassian Gillett. Her life and heart were filled with the utmost joy and happiness being able to spend time with her grandson during the short time she had with him.

Her memory lives on with her siblings Teresa Langemo (Grey), Sheila Esslinger, Kathleen Shepp (Patrick), James Esslinger, Milton Maeda, Darrel Seril, Wesley Seril and Roberta DaRosa along with numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents James and Sarah Esslinger, niece Heather Esslinger, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Robert and Chiyoko Roper, her sister Susan Seril, brother Rodney Seril.

Although Debra’s physical presence may no longer grace our lives, her beautiful spirit will continuously inspire and influence us to live life as she would want us to live. She left behind a legacy of compassion and love that will remain in our hearts forever and her light will never stop shining.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Debra’s life at 1:00 pm on Friday, April 18th at Mills & Mills Funeral Home (5725 Littlerock Rd SW Tumwater WA 98512) with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation in memory of Debra Ann Roper.