Deirdre Marie Neppel, 71, of Raleigh, NC, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up in Lloyd Harbor, NY., attended Cold Spring Harbor HS, and earned an associate degree from Endicott Junior College. Deirdre took joy in being a full-time mother for her four children, grandmother to nine grandchildren, aunt to fifteen nieces and nephews, and a great friend to many. Beyond family and friends, she enjoyed days at the beach, being an avid reader, walking, playing tennis, and having lunch with her “tennis ladies”.

Deirdre is survived by her mother, Anne Gilbert, brother Brian Gilbert (Vickie, Shannon), sisters Kathryn Ruffolo (Bob, Elizabeth, Patrick, Christopher), Susan Lovejoy (Stuart, Stuart, Carter, Sarah), and Stacie Wallice (Paul, P.J., Anne, Kevin), her husband of 49 years, Robert, daughters Erin Neppel (Sean, Jamie, Sarah), Kerry Manneck (Reimund, Evelyn, Marianne), Susan Fuller (Graham, Ryan, Evan), and Lindsay Faucette (Joshua, Tyler, Charlotte). She was preceded in death by her father Dr. George Gilbert, Jr. and brother Kevin Gilbert

Deirdre’s funeral will take place at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church of Raleigh on Thursday, November 21st. Visitation being at 1:00pm, Funeral to follow at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Junior Tennis Foundation at www.juniortennisfoundation.org in honor of Deirdre and her love of tennis. A Celebration of Deirdre’s life will be planned for June 14th, 2025, which would have been Deirdre and Rob’s 50th wedding anniversary.