Debbie Ann Bienkowski

Debbie Ann Bienkowski (54) died on June 3, 2025, at Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY. Born March 18, 1971, she was the youngest daughter of the late Stephan W. Bienkowski and the late Anne (Budzinski) Bienkowski. She was the beloved spouse of Tony Lilley and loving mother to Terrance J. Blanchard and Tyrell M. Lilley as well as a devoted grandmother to her four grandchildren, Amaiah, Taj, Terrance Jr., and Xoe Blanchard.

Debbie was born in Niskayuna, NY at Bellevue Maternity Hospital and grew up in Scotia, NY on Sacandaga Rd. She attended Glendaal Elementary school, Scotia-Glenville Junior High, and a year at Scotia-Glenville Senior High before completing her GED. Debbie moved to Schenectady, NY after high school where she proudly raised her sons, Terrance J. Blanchard and Tyrell M. Lilley. She was in a loving, committed relationship with her partner, Tony Lilley, for 25 years.

Debbie loved swimming, making holiday meals for her family (especially the Bienkowski family mini cheese tart recipe, collard greens for Tony and the kids, and banana pudding) along with watching sports especially basketball and football, and playing BINGO! She was a dedicated fan of the Chicago Bears NFL team as much as she was dedicated to hanging with friends and family at the bingo hall with her dabber in hand.

In addition to her partner, Tony, she is survived by her sons Terrance Blanchard and Tyrell Lilley; grandchildren Amaiah, Taj, Terrance Jr., and Xoe Blanchard all of Schenectady, NY. As well as her sisters Mary (Joe) Ring (Plano, TX), Kathy (Nick) Angerami (Plano, TX), Lisa (Gary) Steinberg (Quechee, VT), Laurie Muñoz-Flores (Amsterdam, NY), Kris (Richard) Moser (Sioux City, IA), and brother John Greening (Mechanicville, NY) in addition to several nieces/nephews, great-nieces/great-nephews. Her passing is mourned by dear friends Jean McCray, Stefanie Ketter-Griffith, Donna D’Elisiis, and Mary St Andrews along with her godson, Kawan Graham. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Tresa (Bienkowski) Eastes and her goddaughter, Quiessence Irizzary.

Debbie will be remembered for her big heart, mama bear attitude, and her willingness to help and embrace everyone who needed it in her home. We are sure she is sitting at the great bingo hall in heaven right now watching over all of us.

Visitation will be held at Bond Funeral Home, 1614 Guilderland Avenue Schenectady, New York 12306 on Friday, June 27, 2025, from 10:00am-12:00 p.m. with interment immediately following at St Albert Cemetery, 2788 Hamburg Street Rotterdam, New York 12303. A Repast for Debbie will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Fifth Avenue Banquet Hall, 1309 5th Ave, Schenectady, NY 12303.

Flowers should be delivered to the funeral home by 4:00pm on Thursday, June 26th for the next day morning service. In lieu of flowers a memorial donation in Debbie’s name may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or the American Cancer Society.