Deborah Conrad

Deborah Annette Conrad Charlottesville VA - Deborah Annette Conrad , 59, was called home by her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, April 30. She died peacefully at the University of Virginia Medical Center after a brief and sudden illness.
Deb was born in Schenectady, NY on February 27, 1965. In December 1976 at age 11, following the death of her mother Donna in a driver-only car accident, her maternal grandparents became her guardians and she went to live with them and their two youngest children (her Aunt Carole and Uncle Mark, only 3 and 2 years older than her, respectively) in Port Washington, Long Island NY.
In 1979, the family relocated to Hudson Falls, NY where Deb was enrolled in Hudson Falls Central High School and later graduated with the Class of 1983. After helping her grandparents move to Seminole, FL for their retirement, Deb enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in May 1984. She completed Air Traffic Control School in February 1985, but switched gears and completed the Basic Postal Clerk Course in March 1986.
She held a position as a Postal Clerk for the next two and a half years. During this time, she earned her Rifle Marksman badge and a Good Conduct Medal. In March 1988, only six weeks shy of fulfilling her initial four-year enlistment, Deb was honorably discharged with the rank of Lance Corporal after suffering a rare form of cancer in her left inner ear. Her entire internal hearing mechanism was surgically removed, leaving her completely deaf on the left side and without the bottom half of her left ear. Deb refused any cosmetic repair or prosthesis.
A tough, proud gal at the young age of 23, she insisted she would present herself to the world just as she was -- with an honesty that came from her self-confidence and unapologetic determination. These were among her many fine qualities for which her family and friends loved and admired her so.
Following brief residences in Philadelphia, PA and Corpus Christi, TX, Deb returned to Florida to live with her grandparents for a brief time while she determined her next course of action. She then moved to Hillsborough County, FL for three years, followed by residence in Pinellas County, FL (Largo and Clearwater) for nearly two decades. During this time, she worked for various companies including Spectrum Installations and Ajax Business Interiors.
In October 2019, Deb relocated to Charlottesville, VA seeking a fresh start away from Florida and better financial security. She found both which first included employment at Lowes, then at Musictoday for the last three years.
Deb thoroughly enjoyed the variety of tasks at her full-time job in order fulfillment, and she treasured the camaraderie with coworkers and management, counting many of them amongst her friends. In her spare time, she walked the grounds regularly at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello (which she called her "happy place"), exercised on her home athletic equipment, kept up with current national events, and doted on her beloved cats, Nikita and Elliott.
For the last two and a half years, she reunited with her Aunt Carole, moving in with her and husband, Mark, in their Charlottesville home. They often enjoyed evening meals together, sharing holiday celebrations, and going on daytrips and to concerts.
While Deb's life was cut short before she and her doctors could solve the riddle of her recent symptoms, she would not have wanted it to be remembered with sadness. Deb had a magnetic smile, a beautiful spirit, a wicked sense of humor, a deep patriotism and love for America, a kindness towards animals, and compassion for those in need. She loved God, her family and her friends, and she will be deeply missed by everyone who loved her.
Deb is survived by her half-siblings, Kristen L. Quinn (Sean), James C. Haber, Jr. (Kathy), Tiffany L. Blair, and Gary M. Haber; her aunt, Carole Cupernall Thorpe (Mark); her uncles, Ernie Cupernall (Victoria), Fred Cupernall (Bartha), and Mark Cupernall (Nancy); her cousins, Alexander Cupernall, Melissa Cupernall Watkins (Joe), Christopher Cupernall, Meg Cupernall, Matthew Thorpe, Christian Cupernall, and Cole Cupernall.
Deb was predeceased by her mother, Donna Lynne Cupernall Haber; her half-sibling, Lawrence Mark Willey; her maternal grandmother, Dorothy Marie Cupernall (nee Tuper); her maternal grandfather, Ernest Eugene Cupernall; her maternal great-grandmother, Mildred Sophia Tuper (nee Smith) "Mimi"; her maternal grandfather, Frederick Tuper.
Hill and Wood Funeral Service of Charlottesville, VA is handling cremation and final arrangements. A private family service of urn interment with military honors is planned for October in New York.
To honor Deb's life and in lieu of flowers, her family recommends some options for those wishing to make a charitable donation in memoriam. A contribution to the Monticello Annual Fund at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello will be appropriate to honor her patriotism and to preserve what she called her "happy place". In addition, Deb had a lifelong love and concern for the well-being of animals, especially cats. Donations made to either the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, VA or Caring for Creatures in Palmyra, VA will be most appreciated.