Deborah Lynn Sabino-Keith

Deborah Lynn Sabino-Keith, age 56, died Sunday, November 21, 2010, from cancer. Deborah was, to those who knew her, a voice that you could not forget. Whether singing in nightclubs, in a church, or around a family piano, she made people stop, look and listen. ""She was as talented as she was beautiful,"" recalled her sister, Janine Sabino. ""From the moment she entered a room, she was the center of attention."" Born in 1954, she grew up in Detroit, and attended Wayne State University on a music scholarship. Blessed with a mellifluous singing voice and inspired by her love of jazz standards, she performed often in the Detroit area, singing and playing piano with numerous bands and musicians, including sisters Janine and Kathleen and brother John, sometimes under her married names of Deborah Moore or Deborah Keith. ""She was extremely talented and could play and sing equally as well,"" said Matt Michaels, Professor Emeritus at Wayne State. ""She appreciated good music, the more sophisticated the better. And she was just a delightful person."" In the late 1990's, Deborah began a music ministry at Mountaintop Christian Church in Ray Township. She often performed at weddings and other religious functions. Sabino was the sister-in-law of author and Free Press columnist Mitch Albom, who, in 1988, was brought by a cousin to see Deborah perform in St. Clair Shores. That night, he met her sister, Janine, and the two began a courtship and eventually married. Since being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995, Deborah began her courageous battle with both traditional and alternative therapies. She stunned many doctors with her survival, and to the end remained alert and involved. She passed away, as she desired, in her home, surrounded by family and beloved friends. She is survived by her three sons, Michael Moore, Daniel Keith and Johnny Keith as well as mother and stepfather Maureen and Anthony Gatt, sisters Janine, Kathleen, and Patricia, and brothers John and Gregory. Visitation will be Friday from 1-9 p.m. at Lee-Ellena Funeral Home, on Romeo Plank Rd, in Macomb Township. The funeral service will be held Saturday, 11 a.m., at Bethesda Christian Church, 14000 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made in her honor to Mountain Top Christian Church/Music Ministry, 57575 Romeo Plank Road, Ray Township, MI 48096.