Deborah H. Batchellor

Deborah “Debby” Hamilton Batchellor, age 75, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2024, at Greenfields Nursing Home in Lancaster, where she had resided for the past two years. Born in Albion on February 7, 1949, to the late Larry and Janet (Steele) Hamilton, Debby was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, cherished for her kindness, strength, and grace.

She grew up in the area, graduating from Albion High School and earning her teaching degree from Geneseo. She married her long-time boyfriend, Jack Batchellor, three weeks after graduation. As a youngster, she did the typical things with her friends and sisters, including 4-H, band, choir, dancing, and church groups. She taught English for a while before starting her family, then worked for Genesee County Farm Bureau. Throughout her life, she followed her husband as his career took them from Western New York to New Jersey, to Connecticut, and then back home. She was always able to make new friends (while keeping the old ones!) and always found a way to work or volunteer at the local library, as reading was her favorite pastime.

Debby was a beautiful, thoughtful, loving lady with a big heart. She loved her family and extended family deeply, and they loved her right back. She had a true passion for Longaberger baskets and pottery, Yankee candles, dolls, cats, crafts, books and magazines, heirloom tomatoes, quilting, sewing, and various other hobbies and collections. She so enjoyed playing cards, games, and shopping with family and friends. She was the best in creative, tasteful home decorating and staging, and her labor-intensive Christmas decorating was a marvel admired by everyone who visited her home.

Debby is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, Jack; sons Aaron (Jennifer) of La Marque, TX, and Evan (Jennifer) of Lambertville, NJ; five adoring grandchildren: Jackson, Camden, Leah, Charlie, and Calvin; and her four loving sisters: Darcy (Mike) Monacelli, Sandy (Steve) Peglow, Sue (Jim) Ries, and Juli (Justin) Petit.

Arrangements are entrusted to Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes in Albion. Debby’s ashes will be laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Indian Falls at the time of her husband's passing.

A celebration of her life will be held on November 23 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 300 East Main Street in Batavia. Following the service, the family invites all to join them for fellowship at the Batavia Country Club, 7909 Batavia-Byron Road, from 2:30–5:30 p.m. as they remember Debby’s vibrant life. All are welcome.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution may make it to Haxton Memorial Library, 3 North Pearl St. Oakfield, NY 14125.

To share a memory of Debby, visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com.