Jeanette Mary Debacher

Sister Christa Debacher, born Jeanette Mary Debacher, died on Friday, February 7, 2025 in Savannah, GA after a courageous struggle with illness and the complications of a stroke two years earlier.
Sister Christa was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on May 10, 1933, the daughter of Nicholas J. Debacher and Jeanette (Moening) Debacher both deceased. Her immediate family also included an older brother, Donald E. Debacher Sr., who preceded her in death in 1993. She attended St. Mary Morning Star elementary school and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1951. Sister Christa entered the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood in 1953 and made first vows in 1957. Her first mission was to Mariannhill, Natal, South Africa as a High School teacher where she remained for nearly ten years. Upon returning to the United States she continued a career in teaching and religious education while also obtaining degrees that included an M.Ed. from Kutztown University 1974, and an M.A. from Villanova University in 1981. She taught and held administrative positions in various Catholic institutions primarily in and around the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area for a period of over 30 years. In 1986 she joined A New Genesis Community headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 2007, Sr Christa retired from her position as Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Doylestown, PA to move to Savannah, GA.
While living in Savannah, Sr Christa continued her lifelong devotion to teaching by tutoring and mentoring students, as well as establishing new friendships, reconnecting with family, and enjoying activities such as tennis, Mahjong, gardening, reading and caring for her beloved dogs Tiki and Honey Bear. She was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Parish where she was a Lector and taught religious education. Sister Christa was person who lived in the moment. She was a charismatic and energizing teacher. She loved learning and was an avid reader throughout her life. She loved roses and being outdoors. She loved going to the North Carolina mountains with family. She loved her students. She was in love with life and the God who created it.
Sister Christa is survived by her sister-in-law Eleanor Debacher, nephew Donald E. Debacher, Jr. (Martha), niece Boni (Debacher) Knight, great-niece and nephews Lori Gale, Nick Knight and Tim Knight, four great-great nieces and nephews, and her cousins in Massachusetts, Nicholas C. Debacher (Dale), Diane Conway and Faith Johnson (Chuck).
A funeral mass will be officiated by the Reverend Father Kevin O'Keefe on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church 1707 Bull Street, Savannah, GA with visitation at 10:00 AM and Mass at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society for Greater Savannah and Mercy Ships.