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BORN
1952
DIED
2018
FUNERAL HOME
Deborah Roberts Obituary
Landenberg, PA - Deborah S. Roberts of Landenberg, PA passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on June 20, 2018.
Debby was the founder of Nonantum Veterinary Clinic. She was devoted to her patients, their families and to her colleagues. Debby's passion for her work was evident to everyone around her. That passion was second only to her love for her family.
Debby was born Deborah Bruce Smith on September 28, 1952, the daughter of Bernard E. Smith, Jr. and Leonore Smart Smith of Bedford, New York. Her childhood love for animals never diminished and in 1976 she enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. In 1978 Debby married Kenneth J. Roberts of Avondale, PA. Soon they purchased their farm in Landenberg and celebrated the arrival of their first child. In 1981 Kenny sold a prized cow in order to pay Debby's final tuition bill before her graduation from vet school. Together Debby & Kenny built Nonantum Veterinary Clinic, Debby with her plans and Kenny with his hands. The clinic opened in 1983.
In the years since Debby was honored and proud to be joined by an outstanding group of colleagues at the clinic all of whom shared her value of quality patient care first and foremost. The success of Nonantum Veterinary Clinic was a source of great satisfaction, pride and happiness for Debby.
Debby greatest joy, however, was her family. Debby and Kenny raised three boys on their farm at Nonantum. The boys, like their parents, are committed to the land and they have remained in Landenberg working on the farm or managing the clinic.
Debby is survived by her husband Kenneth J. Roberts, her children, Jonathan W. Roberts, Bernard B. & Andrea Roberts, Kenneth P. & Cindy Roberts and by six grandchildren: Brooke, Brody, Lillian, Bella, Bernard, Jr. & Everett.
Debby is also survived by a brother and by five sisters.
Services at Avondale Presbyterian Church will be on July 7th. Calling hours will be from 9am to 11am; the service will begin at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, Debby's family would appreciate a donation to the Veterinary Care Foundation. The link can be found at Nonantum's home page: www.nonantumvet.com. Alternatively, donations can be made by check to: London Britain Township Land Trust, c/o London Britain Twp, PO Box 215, Kemblesville, PA 19347.
To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecocares.com.
Arrangements by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, Kennett Square, PA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Deborah Roberts
Sponsored by Kuzo Funeral Home, Inc..
Candie Ward
June 15, 2019
Whenever I take Stoney, my cat, I still think of Debby and think she's going to walk through with her dogs.
I still miss her and always will.
March 2, 2019
She was a wonderful kind loving person,Rest In Peace
Pam Feldmann
September 1, 2018
To the Robert's/ Nonantum Family,
It is impossible to express my love, gratitude and respect for a woman who has always been so gracious, selfless and loving!
This world has lost an angel on earth and heaven has gained a beautiful set of wings!
May you all find peace in God's light!
Rest well my friend and thank you for being a true guiding light in this world.
Mary Deppa
July 16, 2018
I met Debbie Roberts through our mutual friend Joy Cully. I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to meet and know her even on that limited level and remain forever grateful for the kindness and compassion she showed our friend and her many animals.
Janie Cramer
July 7, 2018
The staff and volunteers at Canine Partners for Life send our condolences. Debby has been a great friend to our service dog program.
Janie Cramer
Executive Director
Canine Partners for Life
Cathy & George Taylor
July 7, 2018
I'm so sorry for your loss. I feel the same loss as you of a very dear friend. Debbie took care of all our dogs. When we loss our last dog, Gigi she was not working that day but they call her and she came and stay with me till my husband got there.It must have been an hour or more till he got there as he did not know anything was wrong with her. It was a shock to all of us that she was gone. Debbie loved our 3lb Gigi and we loved Debbie. Debbie said she was the smallest dog she had. We will miss her so very much and can't believe she gone now and home with the LORD. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Cathy & George Taylor
Joan Ayers
July 2, 2018
Dear Ken, Jake, Kenny and Ben,
I'm so so sorry for your loss. Words can't express how my heart is aching. Debbie was the most wonderful and giving person. I remember her keeping my bunny in her dining room because he was dying. She was always willing to take a stray temporarily when I was desperate to find it's home. I also remember all of the wonderful Career Days she was a part of, and how all of the children loved her. Please know I'm thinking of all of you, and your families. She will be so very missed.
Love,
Joan Ayers
Ray and Susan Stanley
July 2, 2018
Debby was the kind of girl you just liked right away.. Not only was she a quality human being, she was an amazing Vet She cared for our family of pets and always treated them with great love and kindness. We had to put our first dog down and he was too sick to bring to the office, she came to our home and stayed with us as we loved our dog til his last breath. I will never forget that, she was so generous. She sat with us with another dear dog and when we had to take one of our pups to an emergency after hours clinic and he passed away, we received a beautiful hand written note expressing her love and sympathy. She was amazing and we were blessed to have been a small part of her life caring for our fur babies. She has left us all with a very deep loss. Our hearts go out to all her family. Our prayers are with you. With our deepest regard ~. ❤❤❤
Tom, Sharon, Julie Dey & Amy Covington- Moore Family
June 27, 2018
Our heartfelt sympathy to the entire Roberts family. We all adored Debby and valued the love she gave our dogs and cat showing such compassion and understanding for our family and our sweet pets in their final days. She had such an energy about her, always very cheerful and positive. We have often thought of her since we moved. She was our Vet but we truly considered her to be a great friend. May she now rest peacefully in the arms of God.
Amy Eastburn-Escobar
June 25, 2018
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Terri & George Hults, Whitehead
June 23, 2018
Our condolences and prayers to the Roberts family. Deb will totally be missed. Terri Hults, George Whitehead, Amanda Grieco
June 23, 2018
Sending my condolences to your family. May prayer be a great comfort to you during this time 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Donna Ignasz
June 23, 2018
I'm so sorry to learn of this loss. I met Debbie and family through the bank. She was such a wonderful lady and I'm sure she will be greatly missed. My sincerest condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. Such sad news.
Gwen Bowers
June 23, 2018
Great woman & vet...you will be missed, Debby. .
Cheryl Caster
June 23, 2018
I first met Debby when she interrupted her Mother's Day to see our dog even though we weren't regular clients at the time. Of course, since then, Debby treated many pets of ours over many years. Another time she came back early from a family reunion to care for our ill puppy which she kept at her home for several days. She was such a kind person and a great vet. We will certainly miss her.
June 23, 2018
My condolences to the Roberts Family. May the God of comfort grant you strength during this difficult time.
Marsha Smith
June 22, 2018
Dr. Debbie sat with me and my Chi, Willy, when it was his time to pass. We talked, cried and laughed about various things concerning Willy. She and Dr. Michel were Willy's main vets for the 16 years of his life. Such a wonderful woman, person and veterinarian . Her kindness and compassion will always be remembered.
Kathleen Douglass
June 22, 2018
To the ROBERT'S FAMILY, Our thoughts and pray's are with you all. Debby will never be forgotten but remembered for her kindness, loving, generosity she gave to all. We miss her so much but know she is at peace in another home. We were very lucky to have found her 30 yrs ago for our 4 legged family. There will never be another DR. Debby like her.
Love, Stewart & Kathy DOUGLASS
& LAURA HERLEHY
Myra Kubinek
June 22, 2018
IT WAS MY PRIVILAGE TO KNOW DEBBIE AND HAVE MY DOGS UNDER HER CARE WITH ALL HER CARING STAFF MEMBERS. DEBBIES'S QUICK RESPONSE CALLING FOR IMMEDIATE SURGERY ON MY SHEPHERD, CODY SAVED HIS LIFE. I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL. I WILL ALWAYS MISS SEEING HER ROUND & ABOUT NONANTUM FACILITIES. Myra K
Kristen Poniatowski
June 22, 2018
Always in our family's and fur babies hearts forever!
Patricia Williams
June 22, 2018
The Williams family want to send condolences to the Roberts family and staff at the vet nary clinic she was a wonderful veterinarian and friend she cared so lovingly for our animals throughout the years and had as they were ready to be put down she would come to the house and we All cried together.
Sandra DiOrrio
June 22, 2018
Debby was the most compassionate person I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. She was right there with my family and I as many of our fur babies crossed to the other side. She went out of her way so many times to help my animals and so many others. I know there will never be another like her and she will be missed beyond measure. My thoughts and prayers are with the Roberts family and the Nonantum staff.
Sandy Packer
June 22, 2018
Dr. Roberts will always hold a special place in our hearts. Her compassion and comforting words to our Mom when our family dog, Brandy, died are remembered with gratitude. In sympathy to the Roberts Family,
from The Family of Ginny Dohrman
Anthony and Randi Cirillo
June 22, 2018
What an amazing Friend; I know there are a lot of tails wagging in Heaven...Our thoughts and prayers are with the Roberts family.
terry wilson
June 22, 2018
To the Roberts Family ,
My heart is so full of sadness for the loss of this Great Lady I have been a client for 30 years and Debbie has taken such loving care of my dogs . It was 1 year ago June 17 ,2017 that Debbie put down my beloved Milo and I had so much trust and faith in her that I was doing the right thing . I know that all the beloved pets are greeting her in heaven with open paws for she is truly an Angle and God's gift to all mankind.
R I P Deb , tell Milo we Love and miss him every day .. The Wilson's
Mark and Linda Ellingsworth
June 22, 2018
Dr. Debby, you were always there for not only our fur babies, you were there for us as pet owners . It was always a great pleasure to see your smiling face. We always felt so at ease after our visit with you. What a wonderful person you were Dr. Debby. We will miss you so much. Life just is not fair. It will never be the same without you. We have been coming to you for 32 years. We love you Debby.
Candie Ward
June 21, 2018
I'll always remember the care and compassion Debby showed to the animals and to us owners. She'd cry with us when we lost a much loved pet. I never knew any other vets who'd cry and share our grief with us like she did.
Carly, one of her beloved dogs came in the room with me and Pipsqueak, my much loved cat, who was going to cross the Rainbow Bridge when Debby went to get the shots. She came back and said Carly knows when someone is going to lose a pet and would go sit with them when she left the room.
My thoughts and prayers go to the Roberts family and to the awesome staff Debby has working at Nonantum.
Godspeed, Debby Roberts. You will be so missed but I know you're up there with all those who've crossed the Rainbow Bridge and happy to all be together again.
John & Donna Andrew
June 21, 2018
Kenny and family, we send our deepest condolences, Debbie was a gift to us all, two or four legged!! At the beginning of the Vet clinic I remember Debbie doing an autopsy on the picnic table out front, surrounded by her beautiful garden and when coming to the clinic, in the early 80s
You never knew what animal would be in the office waiting their turn!! No one cared more about her clients than Debbie!! Debbwould say If it fit through the door Ill try and help it and Debbie most certainly did! It would be common place for Debbie to put a puppy in bed with her and Kenny, ( Much to Kennys surprise)
The world has lost a truly WONDERFUL FLOWER!!
Thank you Roberts FAMILY for sharing Debbie with us
John and Donna Andrew
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