Debra Whiting Obituary

Whiting, Debra

Hector: Age 52, of Hector, NY, passed away on June 30, 2011 as a result of an automobile accident. She is survived by her loving husband and best friend, David Whiting; sons and loves of her life, Ryan Dougherty and Brenton Whiting; mother, Bernice Schaaf, of Connecticut; brothers and sisters, Randy (Charlene) James of Texas, Sandy (Bill) Callnan of Vermont, Ronny (Donna) Schaaf of Connecticut, Gordon (Denise) Schaaf of New Hampshire, Theona (Wayne) Palma of North Carolina, and John Schaaf of North Carolina; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jim and Bernita Whiting of California; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Jim and Pat Whiting of Californa, Donna and Harry Orlyk of Salem, NY, John and Mary Whiting of Catherine, NY, Andi Whiting and Frank Osborn of Watkins Glen. She was predeceased by her father, Joseph Schaaf. Debra was co-owner of the Red Newt Cellars in Hector, a renowned chef, chair of the Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty and the immediate past chair of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Services for family and close friends will be held at Hector Presbyterian Church at 4pm on Tuesday, July 5th. A celebration of Debra's life will follow at the Red Newt Cellars, 3675 Tichenor Road, Hector, on Tuesday, July 5, from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Those wishing may consider a memorial donation in memory of Debra to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier or Hector Presbyterian Church. Please send tributes, memories and condolences in "Obituaries" at www.Royce-Chedzoy.com.

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Published by Star-Gazette from Jul. 3 to Jul. 4, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Debra Whiting

11 Entries

July 8, 2011

Dear Dave and family: We cannot express how saddened we were to here of Deb's fatal accident. Yet, we know we cannot imagine your sorrow for this loss. It has been awhile since we came to the bistro and winery, but we have fond memories of each visit we made. I remember meeting you and Deb when I did design work for Marti & Tom Macinski. Carman and I were always delighted with your warm hospitality and Deb's fantastic culinary talents. She will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with you all as you adjust to this life without her. But know that she walks with angels now… Love and Blessings, Carman & Betsy Garufi

Paul & Sharyn Thibault

July 6, 2011

We are members of a Canadian car club (The OFMCC) who have enjoyed your hospitality at Red Newt the past 3 years as part of the Founders' Day Tour. You readily accepted us and made us feel welcome each time we have been at Red Newt. We enjoyed delicious food, spirited wine and most of all the great people we met. One fond memory of Deb each year was when she handed us our boxed lunch and flashed one of her great smiles. Deb and Dave were always there at the end of the driveway as 100 or so cars left the winery--smiling, waving and thanking us for being there, when really, we should have been thanking you. We will always remember those special times together and on behalf of all members of our car club we thank you for making these memories possible.

Joe Serphillips

July 5, 2011

My prayers to you.

Paul/Karen Cartwright

July 5, 2011

Dave we are so Sorry and still in deep Shock over the loss of Deb, Our hearts go out to you and your family . We will never forget her presence and what she has done for our son Chris ,

Kathy Barber

July 5, 2011

My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Kathy Barber

Cheryl Hine

July 5, 2011

I knew Deb from her days of working in the field of immunology at Cornell University. She was an excellent scientist as well as an excellent chef. More importantly, she was excellent at doing what she loved the most---caring for her family, friends. and the Red Newt. All of us wish she had not left us so soon, but she is truly in God's caring arms and her wonderful personality will always be a gift for us to carry in our lives. Her leap from science to chef shows us that we can, indeed, make our dreams come true. Many thanks to her family and friends for supporting Deb with her dream, and for helpiing her become one of the best!

Rick Mehlenbacher

July 4, 2011

I am not going to get there in person, but I will be there in spirit and will also be toasting to Deb. Deb was a wonderful and amazing person that showed me nothing but kindness over the many years of doing business with her and I'm glad to say that she and David are true friends. Rest in Peace Debra Whiting

Steve & Cody Usselman

July 3, 2011

Words can not express the sorrow we feel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

July 3, 2011

May God be with the Whiting family. Deb was a great gal and will be missed by all who knew her. Butch Talada, Exec. Chef, Watkins Glen Internationl.

Jeff & Lorena Tobey

July 3, 2011

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

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