Deborah Stehlik Death, Obituary, GoFundMe – At the age of 49, Deborah M. Stehlik, who resided in Babylon, New York, passed away at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital on the evening of Wednesday, June 7, 2023. Deborah was born on September 27th, 1973, in Bethpage, New York. She is the daughter of Linda Rubano, whose husband Dennis Rubano passed away, and the late Dennis Rubano. After completing her high school career at Bethpage High School, Deborah attended the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University to earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education.
Deborah furthered her education by earning an advanced certificate in educational leadership from Hofstra University, which is also where she taught movement classes as an adjunct professor in the Orff-Shulwerk programs. In addition, Deborah served as the past president of the Nassau Music Educators Association, and as a passionate music enthusiast, she was responsible for her students’ outstanding achievements at NYSSMA festivals, chorus concerts, recorder performances, theatre shows, and New York State Music Festivals. Deborah has been a music educator in the Bethpage School District for the past 25 years and more.
She has taught at Kramer Lane Elementary School, Bethpage High School, and most recently at Central Boulevard Elementary School. Deborah’s first musical inspiration came from Mrs. Kelly, who was Deborah’s elementary school music teacher. Deborah has been fortunate to have Deborah as a music educator in the Bethpage School District. Deborah served as the previous district chairperson for both choral and classroom music. Her leadership and active teaching style have been a positive influence on the Bethpage music department.
Sophia, who was seventeen years old at the time, was Deborah’s utmost source of pride. She cherished and cherished her daughter. Sophia has chosen to spend her entire life pursuing a career in the musical arts, much like her mother did before her. The achievements that Sophia had achieved left Deborah feeling as proud as she possibly could. Deborah was an ever-present figure in her daughter’s life, acting in the capacities of guardian, confidante, and friend.
Deborah was also very active and enjoyed working out at CrossFit, which is where she first became acquainted with her future husband, Bill O’Keefe. Bill remained by her side every day, providing support and encouragement while maintaining his unwavering optimism. Deborah is survived by her mother Linda Rubano of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, her daughter Sophia of West Islip, her partner Bill O’Keefe of Babylon, New York, her brother John Rubano and his wife Jeanee along with her godson Landon of South Glastonbury, Connecticut, her former spouse Jim Stehlik of West Islip, New York, and a large number of aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives and friends.
Her father, Dennis Rubano, as well as her godfather, Richard Rubano, both away before she was born. Deborah was treated with love and compassion by the nurses and personnel at Sunrise Las Vegas Hospital, Five Towns Premier Rehabilitation Centre, and Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital during the final weeks of her life. Deborah’s family would like to express their gratitude to those individuals for all that they did for her.
On Friday, June 9, 2023, calling hours will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Claude R. Boyd-Spencer Funeral Home, which is located at 448 West Main Street in Babylon, New York. On the morning of Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., a funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Church, which is located at 666 Albin Avenue in West Babylon, New York. After that comes the interment.
Her final resting place will be at the North Babylon Cemetery in Bayshore, New York, which can be found at 784 Sunrise Highway S Service Road.