Obituary of Deborah Leigh Sterling

HERKIMER - Deborah Leigh Sterling, age 64, of Herkimer, New York, passed away unexpectedly, on Thursday September 24, 2020. Deb was born on September 18, 1956, in Herkimer, the daughter of the late Edward McGrade and the late Marilyn (Warren) McGrade. Deb was raised in Ilion, NY and graduated from Ilion High School, in 1976. Deb was a member of the Catholic faith and studied with several local Bible study groups. Deb is survived by her husband, Dennis Sterling, of Herkimer NY; her stepmother, Patricia McGrade, of Hendersonville NC; her sisters, Barbara Scanlan, of Fairport NY and Christine Flint and her husband, Paul Flint, of Ilion NY; her brother, Edward (Randy) McGrade, of Little Falls NY; her nieces, Christie (Flint) Brown, of Rome NY, Mary Caitlin (Scanlan) Wight, of Fairport NY and Sarah McGrade, of Herkimer NY; her nephews, Benjamin Flint, of Herkimer NY, Johnathan Scanlan, of Dayton OH and Corey Flint, of Ilion NY; her bothers-in-law, Robert Sterling and his wife, Nancy (Warmuth) Sterling and Randy Sterling and his son, Michael Sterling; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews. Besides her parents, Deb was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Michael Scanlan; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred and Jean Sterling; and her brother-in-law, Mark Sterling. Deb and her Dad passed away on the same day, September 24th, two years apart. Deb loved sending cards and writing letters. All of her family shares special memories of the cards and letters that Deb sent to them on special days. Deb also loved talking to kind people and she remembered every important detail that they shared with her. For 44 years Dennis’s family have held a very special place in Debbie’s heart and they have all held the same love in their hearts for Debbie. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 3rd, 2020, at 10:30 AM, at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Ilion, NY (Town of Frankfort) with Deacon James Bower, officiating. Deb's ashes will be laid to rest with her mother in the Armory Hill Cemetery, Ilion, NY. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service and interment to follow. If you plan to attend the services, a face mask is required. The family of Deborah Sterling is thankful to the MOVAC EMT's and the Doctors and Nurses at the Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, NY for all the care Deb received. Deb’s arrangements were planned with the honor of her friends, Funeral Directors Harry J. Enea, Jr., Kevin E. Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia (315) 894-8000.