Debbie Wartonick

1954 - 2023

The world seems a little less full of love as Debbie (St. John) Wartonick, 68, of Terryville, passed away peacefully on Jan. 10, 2023 with her loving family by her side. She was the wife to her devoted husband, George Wartonick; a man who truly embodied his marital vow of "for better or for worse". Debbie showed her strength and perseverance while battling ovarian cancer over the past two and a half years; not giving up her fight until her very last breath.
Born on Nov. 24, 1954 to the late Elmer and Mary (Palaia) St. John, Debbie was raised in Forestville, graduating from Bristol Eastern High School in 1972. She married George, the love of her life, in 1978, and spent the next 44 years of wedded bliss raising their two children, Nicholas Wartonick and Katie (Wartonick) Pepe in Terryville.
Debbie loved her time as a stay at home Mom when her children were young. She enjoyed coaching them on different sports teams; using her athletic knowledge and ability to help them progress and grow. When her children were grown, she was called to work at the Terryville Plymouth Daycare Center: The Learning Center, where she could help raise other children. She started as a teacher in the infant room where she could "snuggle babies" all day long, then became the office manager, an integral part of ensuring the success of the center. She greeted each and every child with a smile and a hug every day for over twenty years, becoming a staple in the center's success.
Debbie was an avid UConn women's and men's basketball fan, and an even bigger Red Sox fan. She would plan her day around the games so she could watch and critique their every play. Debbie's biggest passion was her family. She dedicated her life to her family, making sure they knew how much she loved them all; making everyone feel like they were her favorite. She especially loved spending time with her four grandbabies, as she used to call them. Debbie and George would always make it a point to attend all of the kids' extracurricular and sporting events, and spend even more time with them afterwards because she "just couldn't get enough of them!"
She is survived by her husband George Wartonick of Terryville; son and confidant, Nick Wartonick and his spouse Sara of Plainville; daughter and best friend Katie Pepe and her spouse Steve of Berlin; sister Donna St. John and her spouse Faith Wayne of Terryville; brother Richard St. John and his spouse Diane of New Hartford; sisters-in-law Debbie Wartonick of Terryville,and Lori Wartonick of Jensen Beach, FL; brother-in-law Jim Wartonick of Bristol; nieces and nephews, and her many beloved Palaia cousins, especially the NGPW. She will be severely missed by her grandchildren, Ryan and Aiden Wartonick of Plainville, and Mason and Morgan Pepe of Berlin. She was predeceased by her beloved parents Elmer and Mary St. John, mother and father-in-law William and Darlene Wartonick, nephew Paige Laferriere, and two special dogs, Sneakers and Rosie. Her family would like to thank the office of Dr. Jorgensen, and all of the oncology staff at UConn Hospital for giving her exceptional care during her fight.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Scott Funeral Home, 169 Main St, Terryville.
A funeral will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Terryville Congregational Church, 233 Main St, Terryville.
Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol. www.scottfuneralhomeinc.com. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Terryville Plymouth Daycare Center: The Learning Center - Infant/Toddler room, Lorraine Friedman at 9 North Riverside Ave, Terryville, CT 06786.