Deborah Davidson Sturm

Deborah was born on October 22, 1953 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Warren K. Davidson and Ann K. Orner. In 1972, she graduated from Oak Park High School in Gladstone, Missouri and went on to earn her bachelor's degree at Northwest Missouri State University. Deborah married Bruce D. Sturm in 1983 and had two children, Ann Lorraine (Annie) in 1985 and Jonathan Douglas (J.D.) in 1987. She began her 20-year career in North Kansas City School District in 1999 and retired in 2018 as a paraprofessional in Special Education at Northgate Middle School where she made lifelong friends.

Deborah was most proud of her children, Ann and Jonathan. Parenting them was the most rewarding accomplishment. She savored every moment with family and loved sharing a meal. She organized the meal plan and enjoyed preparing food for the holidays. Baking was her specialty, although, she made the greatest deviled eggs.

Deborah was a wordsmith, an incredible writer, an avid crossword puzzler and more recently a veracious Wordler. She also contributed her time and experience as a seamstress to help create costumes, patch uniforms, and tailor clothes for her children, neighbors, and friends.

Her parents, Ann K. and Warren K. Davidson, of Pittsburgh, PA, precede her in death as well as her husband, Bruce Sturm of St. James, MN and brother Robert B. of Kansas City, MO.

She is survived by Frances Davidson; her children Ann Sturm (Derek Etheridge) and Jonathan Sturm; sisters Joyce Gabbard (Glen) and Leslie Hoelscher (Mark); nieces Haley Rubenking (Aaron), Abigail Gabbard (David Phelps), Amanda Gabbard-McGuirk (Michael), Allison Arnold (Eric); nephews Matt Gabbard and Aaron Hoelscher; cousins Sally Amberg (Dustin), Doug Davidson (Carlis), and Kathleen Bowes.

A celebration of Deborah's life will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Newcomer's White Chapel Funeral Home and Cemetery (6600 Northeast Antioch Road, Gladstone, MO 64119). Visitation starts at 10:00 am with the service at 10:30 am followed by a brief gravesite internment. Deborah wanted her service to be joyful and requested guests to wear color. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to North Kansas City Education Foundation's School Supply Drive. To donate online or visit https://nkcschoolsfoundation.org/support/school-supply-drive#form