Deborah A. Steege

1946 - 2018

Deborah Anderson Steege

October 2, 1946 – September 7, 2018

Traverse City, MI

Deborah Anderson Steege, 71, formerly of Durham, North Carolina and Glen Arbor, Michigan, passed away early Friday, September 7, 2108 at Cherry Hill Haven of Traverse City.

Debbie was born October 2, 1946, the first year of the baby boom, in Boston, Massachusetts to Andy and Jane (Carpenter) Anderson. A scholar from the beginning, she graduated at the top of her class from Akron, Ohio's Buchtel High School in 1964. Already an accomplished musician, she was a gifted pianist and concert pipe organist, and considered studying music and performing for her career.

Instead, she opted for hard science and received her BA in Biological Science with Great Distinction from Stanford in 1968, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale in 1974. After Yale post doctoral research from 1974 to 1977, she was recruited to Duke University where she enjoyed a 36 year career of research and teaching focusing on cell and gene DNA RNA transfer until retiring Professor Emeritus in 2013.

Debbie married the love of her life, Robert Hill, a fellow professor and the Duke Department Chair of Biochemistry on April 10, 1982. Together they traveled the world presenting scientific results of their research and attending scientific conferences and meetings.

Debbie is survived by her siblings Ceci Shikles of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Peter Anderson of Glen Arbor, Michigan, Jandy Sprouse of Leelanau and Benzie Counties, Michigan, and their families. She is also survived by stepchildren Amy Gery of Durham, North Carolina, Genny Buschur of Greenville, South Carolina, Becky Claycomb of Raleigh, North Carolina, Terry Hill of Durham, North Carolina and their families.

Debbie was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Hill on November 29, 2012 and her parents Andy and Jane Anderson.

Private services will be held at a later date in Durham, North Carolina when her ashes will be placed with her husband's in a Duke University columbarium.

Many thanks to all the kind folks at Leland's Effie's and Traverse City's Cherry Hill Haven for being so good to Debbie.

Those who wish to remember Debbie with a memorial contribution are asked to consider the Alzheimer's Association with a focus on scientific research, and Interlochen Arts Academy.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell Funeral Home of Traverse City.