Deborah Leigh “Deb” Cassavaugh, 68, originally of Norwich, New York, passed away at her residence on Monday, January 26, 2026.
Deb was born February 27, 1957, to the late John B. and Freda (Hart) McCoy, at Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich.
She spent her childhood in Norwich and was a graduate of Norwich High School’s class of 1975. She furthered her education at SUNY Cobleskill, where she earned her associate’s degree in business in 1977.
Growing up, Deb became an ardent New York Mets baseball fan, developed a lifelong love for collecting stamps, watching baseball, gardening, cross stitching, photography, traveling, reading, and bowling. She won a Norwich Ladies Singles Bowling Tournament in the 1970s.
Deb enjoyed cheering on her son, Daniel, at his athletic events, including golf, basketball, and, of course, baseball. “I could watch a baseball game every day,” she would say every spring.
Upon graduation from SUNY Cobleskill, she began a career primarily in the healthcare industry.
From 1980 to 1985, she worked at Simmonds Precision in Norwich before moving to California with her first husband and starting a family.
Before she began her 25-year career at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital, Deb spent eight years in California working for Advanced Cardiovascular Systems and Cardiovascular Imaging Systems. This time helped shape and prepare her for her later career when she returned to Norwich in 1995.
Her extraordinary work ethic and dedication led to her rise from an administrative services assistant to her ending role as the Executive Director of the CMH Foundation. She raised a total of $9 million in funding for various CMH enhancements and projects, including the cardiology wing, and the expanded emergency room.
During this time, she also worked at First Union Securities and later Wells Fargo, where she earned her Series 7 and Series 63 licenses.
Deb’s retirement in 2020 was followed by volunteering at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, where she was a lifelong member. She was the church historian and worked on the 150th anniversary celebration of the church’s founding. She also was a board member for the Norwich Cemetery Association.
On August 12, 2006, she married the love of her life, Gary Muserallo, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Over nearly 20 years, they traveled the country together, went to countless baseball games, and enjoyed time with their families. They achieved a dream in 2023 when they purchased a winter home in Florida.
Deb is survived by her husband, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter; Gary Muserallo, of Norwich; Daniel, Frances (D’Imperio) and her cherished granddaughter Reese Cassavaugh; brother and sister-in-law, John and Carol McCoy; aunt Laura Hart; and many cousins.
Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home, 68 South Broad Street, Norwich, on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service for Deborah will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, in Norwich. Burial will occur at Mt. Hope Cemetery in the spring of 2026.
Memorial contributions in memory of Deb may be made to the UHS Chenango Memorial Foundation, 179 North Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted with the Wilson Funeral Home. To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit: www.wilsonfh.com.