Deborah Ann Orlando

Born in the Bronx on June 17, 1973, Deborah was known to all as a grateful lover of life, magic, and light.

She was a selfless giver to all in need, just one example of which is that she was the Founder of Help on the Way, which provided essential assistance and solace to countless people in Staten Island after Hurricane Sandy.

She was also renowned as a gracious host of Robins Road house.

An award-winning Irish step dancer, she prided herself in being a Marley’s Angel and atmosphere enhancer as well as a self-proclaimed “Bloodthirsty Flowerchild”.

Deborah is survived by her sons, Hunter Michael Deneen, 17 and Jackson Manning Targa, 6; by her parents Rita & Joseph; her paternal "Grandma Mary"; by her sisters Karen Orlando Vetter and her husband William, and Emily Rose Orlando; by her niece Chiara Manning Vetter, and by her loving partner in life, magic and light, Terry “Ruggie” Neff and his daughter, Lily, 15. “Love is real not fade away.”

She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

One of her friends wrote beautifully of Deborah, “I remember catching a fleeting glimpse of her wings in the space between the spotlights and the darkness, sometimes they were leathers and sometimes they were feathers but I always heard them flutter through the music that was her life.”

Anyone who can attend the visitation is asked to bring a photo, a poem or a written memory of Deborah to be placed in a Memory Chest at the Funeral Home which will be cherished and shared with Hunter and Jack.

Visiting will be today and Tuesday from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM.

A celebration of Deborah’s life will take place at the Funeral Home on Wednesday at 10 AM.

In lieu of flowers, Deborah’s family would greatly appreciate donations that will be used to fund a 529 Plan for her son Jackson’s college education. Checks can be made out to and given to Rita Orlando.