Deborah Kay Steele's Obituary
Deborah Kay Steele
November 5, 1949 – June 15, 2025
Deborah “Debbie” Kay Steele went home to Jesus in Millsboro, DE, on June 15, 2025. She was 75 years old.
Born on November 5, 1949, in Mardela Springs, MD, she was the daughter of the late Charles W. and Edith (Shockley) Kenney.
Debbie graduated from Laurel High School in June 1967. She completed banking courses and worked for 7.5 years at the Sussex Trust Bank.
During this time, she was the President of the Mason-Dixon VFW Ladies Auxiliary No. 7234 in Ocean View, DE, the conductress for District No. 4, and a state color bearer. She continued her education, completing an
A.A.S. Degree in Office Systems Technology at Delaware Technical Community College in May 1998. She devoted much of her professional life to the public school system, where she worked for 37 years as a dedicated secretary for the Indian River School District and was a part of multiple educational associations. During this time, she met her lifelong best friend Barbara Low (husband John) of Georgetown, DE, whom she enjoyed spending time with on outings. She was active in the VFW Ladies Auxiliary No. 7422 in Millsboro, DE, and the Treasurer for the Red Hat Society of Georgetown, DE. After retiring in 2015, she continued to be involved in her local community, working and volunteering at Catholic Charities, Love INC, and the Indian River Senior Center.
Debbie was a devout Christian, always attending church service and showing love and compassion to others. At one of the churches she attended, she met her best friends, Vernon and Angie Timmons of Millsboro, DE. Angie was also in the Red Hat Society with Debbie.
Debbie was a devoted, loving mother and grandmother. Her family was the center of her world, and her nurturing spirit created a warm and loving home. As a Christian and family-oriented woman, Debbie’s favorite holiday was Christmas. She loved decorating a big Christmas tree and spending time with family. She enjoyed collecting bears, angels, and Red Hat Society fashion figurines. Her collection also included Thomas Kinkade figurines and paintings.
She loved spending time with family and friends, traveling, shopping, going out to eat, and having a good dessert. Her favorite kind of dessert was pie. A few trips she enjoyed were staying at a cabin in the mountains of Blackwater Falls, WV with her daughter and son-in-law, many trips to Williamsburg, VA with her cousins Dixie Rhinehardt (husband Jeff) of Marydel, DE, and Elizabeth “Betty” Terry of Hartly, DE, and a trip to Lancaster, PA with her granddaughter.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Charles E. Kenney and her sister Lillian Bailey.
She is survived by her daughter, Dawn Parsons (husband Danny) of Millsboro, DE; granddaughter, Ashleigh Steele (partner Robert) of Millsboro, DE; sister, Shirley Burtelle (husband James) of Laurel, DE; four nieces, two great-nieces, one great-nephew, additional extended family, and close friends.
Her commitment to her family and community left an indelible mark, and she will be remembered for the love she shared with all who knew her.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Gumboro Wesleyan Church, 36842 Millsboro Hwy, Millsboro, DE 19966. Visitation is from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Celebration of Life service will start at 3:00 p.m. A Fellowship dinner will follow, and dishes are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations to Gumboro Wesleyan Church would be greatly appreciated.
May Deborah Steele rest in eternal peace and may her memory serve as a testament to the enduring power of love, faith, and family in the face of tragedy.
Proverbs 31:31
“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
Please sign Ms. Steele's Tribute wall at this site.
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