Debra Grace Loff-Like

Debra Grace Loff-Like (nee Loff) of Annandale, Virginia died on June 14, 2025 in the Georgetown University Hospital. The cause of her death was pancreatic cancer.  Debra was born on October 2, 1954 in Brooklyn, New York.  At an early age she lived in Atlanta, Georgia but spent the majority of her adolescence in Succasunna, New Jersey.  She graduated Roxbury High School in 1972 and Hartwick College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976.  After graduation from Hartwick she worked as a hydro-therapist.

Debra, in 1978, became a Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador.  She served as a health educator for women vendors in large municipal open air fruit and vegetable markets.  During this time El Salvador was experiencing social unrest which presented itself to Debra when she was held hostage in her work place along with Salvadoran colleagues for 10 days by leftist guerrillas.  These guerrillas demanded better working conditions, which were ultimately met, for the vendors. Debra and her colleagues were released unharmed and she quickly was returned to the United States. The deteriorating political environment combined with this incident caused Peace Corps El Salvador to close in early 1980.

She married fellow returned Volunteer, George Like, in April 1980.  George was serving as a Foreign Service Officer and Debra accompanied him on his first assignment to Guatemala in late 1980.  She initially worked as trainer for the local Peace Corps office. She then obtained a Master’s degree in Preventive Medicine in 1982 from The Ohio State University.  While living in Guatemala she was enrolled in the Francisco Marroquin medical school and earned a black belt in Shotokan karate.

George was reassigned to Indonesia in 1986 until 1990 during which time their two sons were born.  Additional assignments followed to Belize, Panama, Washington DC and Nepal.  At these postings Debra worked as a contractor with the US embassy, taught swimming and karate, coached youth sports and concentrated on raising their two sons.

Upon returning to the US, Debra served for more than 25 years as an Associate Professor in Emergency Medical Services at the Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC).  Her dedication and passion for teaching left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to work alongside her.  Her commitment to excellence and care for her students and colleagues were notable. She was also a Registered Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic and life member of the Sterling (Va.) Volunteer Rescue Squad. Upon her retirement from NVCC until a few weeks before her death, Debra continued teaching elementary emergency medical skills to high school students.

Debra saved lives and taught others to save lives.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, George of Annandale; two sons: Alexander (Toni) of Annandale, Andrew of Richmond, Va. and two granddaughters: Siena Grace and Alexandra Joy.   Also surviving are her mother, Carol Loff of Succasunna, NJ; brother Roger (Cherise) of Oakdale, Ca.; sister Caren (Mike) Maher of Shark River Hills, NJ and brother, Geary (Judy) of Hardwick, NJ.  Surviving also is Ellen Geisel (Steve), a life long friend, of Sarasota, Florida.

Debra gave without asking, loved without limits and never stopped advocating for and supporting her friends and family.  She fought her final disease until the very end.  Her death leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew her.