Obituary of Debra K. Scorse

Debra Kay Miller Scorse, 71, passed away Friday, February 16, 2024 in Rochester, NY.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Charles and LaVerne Miller, and in-laws, Buster and Val Scorse. She is survived by her daughter, Emily; husband, Jim; siblings: Karen Wartschlager (Bob), Mark Miller (PattiBeth), Cheryl Jones (Mike) and Amy Miller; nieces and nephews: Chris Wartschlager (Linda), Drew Wartschlager (Alison), Hannah Nitzen (Dan), Adam Miller, Lydia Jones (Casey), Haydon Clore (Jess), Jessie Miller (Chris), Brannaman Clore and Ellie Miller; great nieces and nephews: Lexie, Chase, Norah, Lukas and Emmie; and many close and loving friends.

Debbie was born in Cincinnati, OH on September 5, 1952. Her family moved a lot growing up, including time in England. She graduated in 1972 from Miami University in Oxford, OH and lived in Louisville, KY, where much of her family still resides. She found her very best friend when Emily was born in 1980 and in 1985 she met Jim and moved to Rochester, where she spent the remainder of her life, including over 40 years as a computer programmer and systems analyst.

She taught us to delight in moments of discovery, to greet new opportunities as great adventures and to celebrate as many moments as possible. Debbie had an infectious flair for life - you could never keep up but were so happy to try. She put her whole self into any and every thing. She was a master at gathering friends and family for all occasions, from hosting annual parties for the Kentucky Derby, Fourth of July, and Winter Solstice, to commemorating coronations with paper masks and making sure we all had our glasses for the eclipse. She would post all of it on driveway cam - she knew only a few people checked in but she ran it like the whole world was there with us. Debbie was an incredible giver whose greatest gift to all who knew her was being herself.

Debbie loved kayaking, all things galactic, reading (The Renegades), a thick blanket of snow, watching her much-loved Yankees, acknowledging the birthdays of kith and kin, bell ringing (North American Guild of Change Ringers Rochester Chapter), postcards and letters, knitting (Rochester Knitting Guild) and volunteering (Meals on Wheels, Election Polls). She will be remembered with every stitch, every inning, with the turn of every page and the glint of sunlight on water.

Visitation will be held at 10am on Leap Day, February 29, 2024 at Falvo Funeral Home in Webster, NY, with service to follow.
 
Donations may be made in Debbie's honor to NAMI Rochester [namiroc.org]