Deborah L. Hitchcock, 62, of Norwich passed away Thursday evening, December 7, 2017, at the Bridgewater Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing in Binghamton following a strong and courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in which she was only diagnosed in February of this year.
Deb was born in Binghamton on December 29, 1954 the daughter of Adam and Janet (Hall) Kloda. She was a 1972 graduate of the Chenango Forks High School and also attended Broome Community College. Deb moved to Norwich in 1979 and on May 30, 1999 married Mark Hitchcock who survives.
Throughout her working career in Norwich, Deb was employed at various business where she made many friends. Over the years she has been employed by Simmonds Precision, NBT, CWS, Catholic Charities, BOCES and Dr. Lentini. Most recently she was employed for 10 years by Chenango County where she worked as an Administrative Asst. mostly in the Dept. of Social Services having retired in January of this year due to her illness. She also worked as a court transcriber for a number of years.
Deb was not one to sit idle. Her outside activities were vast. While her daughter was growing up she was a Girl Scout Troop Leader, was a “behind the stage” worker for the Bernie Windsor Dance Studio doing make up and everything that went with, sang in the St. Paul’s Church choir and worked as an Avon Rep. She also loved belly dancing and was a 30 year member of the Oasis Belly Dancers.
A lover of all kinds of animals, Deb was very fond of her own pets over the years especially her current canine friend, Ruger. She was an avid gardner growing a variety of flowers, house plants and herbs.
Above all else she was a very proud “G MA” to her many grandchildren.
Deb is survived by her husband Mark of Norwich, her mother Janet Kloda of Binghamton, children Kim Turner and fianc’e Joseph Eldred of Sherburne, William (Amanda) Hitchcock of Mt. Vision and Ethan (Kelsey) Hitchcock of Guilford. Also surviving are her very special grandchildren Ethen Eldred, Katie Turner, Carter Eldred, Julie Turner, Abbie Eldred, Zach Turner, Ella Eldred, Jed Turner, Cambree Hitchcock, Kason Hitchcock and Lane Hitchcock, her sisters Phyllis Kloda and husband Simon Peplen and Michele (Cyrus) Dastur both of NC, her special niece Denise along with several other nieces and nephews and her very favorite canine friend Ruger.
Deb was predeceased by her children Cathleen, Randall, Robert Jr. and Abigail Marie.
A time to share memories and stories of Deb’s life will be held on Thursday, December 14, from 5-7 pm.
In lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions to The ALS Association, Upstate NY Chapter, 135 Old Cove Road, Suite 213, Liverpool, NY 13090.