Helene "Debbie" Debra Kukielka

Helene Debra Kukielka, 70, educator, mentor, cat-lover, beach wanderer, loving mother, and grandmother extraordinaire, lived her life so that those she met were looking forward to their next encounter - if anything to see what creative theme her nails were!

For more than 35 years, Debbie devoted herself to Montessori education, guiding generations of 3–5 year olds with patience (most days …), creativity, and a fierce belief in their potential. From her time at the Montessori Institute in Washington, DC to classrooms filled with curious little minds, she touched thousands of lives, and not just children, but the educators she mentored along the way. Debbie wasn’t just a teacher - she was a builder of futures, a mentor who insisted that knowledge should be shared, refined, and passed forward.

But Debbie’s story was never only about the classroom. She was a Maryland native who found joy in Ocean City’s salty breezes, a plate of crabs “dusted” with Old Bay, a Bloody Mary in one hand, and a snowball in the other! She loved bingo nights, the casino, bowling, drag shows with Sherry Vine, and the simple magic of gathering around food with family. She dreamed of opening a cat café - fitting, since her four cats were as much a part of her family as anyone else.

Her greatest joy, though, was her family. Debbie’s three daughters - Andrea, Stephanie, and Megan - were her heart, and her three grandchildren - Emily, Lucas, and Lexi - were her world. She delighted in teaching Lucas and Lexi, and was quick to give Emily lessons whenever possible when she would visit her classroom. Whether on the beach at Ocean City, aboard a cruise ship, or simply in the company of her kids and grandkids, Debbie was happiest wherever love surrounded her.

Fiercely independent, witty, and unafraid to share her opinions (especially politics), Debbie lived life on her own terms. She embraced feedback but held fast to her convictions, a balance that made her both a formidable mentor and a deeply caring matriarch.

Her work was her passion, which brought her all over the north east and the world. She was Early Childhood credentialed, an instructor, mentor, and all around support for the adult learners from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies. Debbie presented workshops for new and seasoned Montessori educators and loved to share her passion for the work she cared so much about. Her dedication to the teachings of Maria Montessori were regarded highly, and led her to assisting in the opening of a Montessori school in Saudi Arabia in 2010.

In 2019, Debbie was diagnosed with a rare cancer. True to her fiercely independent spirit, she faced the years that followed with courage and grit, never letting illness overshadow the love she poured into her family or the passion she carried for her work. Debbie fought to the very end with the same fire that defined her life: putting others first, mentoring with heart, and savoring every moment she could with those she loved most.

Debbie’s legacy is one of laughter, mentorship, and love - a life that reads less like a farewell and more like a bestseller, one that continues to inspire every person lucky enough to have been part of her story. She is survived by her three daughters: Andrea Riddle and her husband Joey; Stephanie Thorne and her husband Eric, along with their daughter Lexi (4); and Megan Duffy and her husband Tim, with their children Emily (11) and Lucas (8). She is also survived by her brother, David Stein, and his wife Stacey, nephew Jordan Stein and his wife Chaya, and niece Nicole and husband Anthony Mason. Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Lois and Sherwin Stein, whose love and guidance shaped the foundation of the vibrant life she built.

Although Debbie's book has been written, her memory and legacy will influence an untold number of chapters in all those still being authored. In lieu of flowers, Debbie would like donations to go to GRASP Animal Rescue. A donation can be addressed to Debbie Kukielka at [email protected] on the GRASP website: https://www.graspinc.org/tribute

A celebration of her life will be held at the Alvah Halloran & Son Funeral Home, 2125 Chili Ave., Rochester, New York, 14624. The visitation is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with time for sharing memories of Debbie from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The family preference is casual attire, colorful and fun, as that is what Debbie would have wanted!