Deborah Conner Ottavio

Deborah Conner Ottavio, age 58, took the journey to her eternal home on September 20, 2012 in Raleigh, NC surrounded by family and close friends after a long, valiant battle with Primary Progressive Aphasia. Debbie was born on February 5, 1954, in Danville, Virginia to Kenneth and Doris Conner and grew up in Brookneal, Virginia. She attended Mary Baldwin College and graduated from Lynchburg College in 1976. After graduation she worked for First Virginia Bank in Brookneal before moving to Richmond where she became Vice President of Signet Bank. After a successful banking career, Debbie became a realtor for Savage Realtors. In 2000, Debbie and her husband Ron moved to North Carolina. She was active at Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh where she was a leader with Urban Ministries and a member of the Koinonia Sunday School Class. Quick with a joke and quicker with a smile, Debbie never met a stranger and was always eager to help others. She had a genuine love for animals but in particular her dogs: Mo, Aesop, and Billie Holiday, and most recently her golden retriever, Gracie. Debbie loved to go to her home at Smith Mountain Lake, take trips to the beach, and attend Carolina Hurricanes games.

Debbie is survived by her husband Ron Ottavio of Raleigh, NC; her brother and sister-in-law Kenneth and Carol Conner of Alton, Virginia; her aunt Sue Ann Holloway of Richmond, Virginia; a niece, Sarah Beth Bohanon of Raleigh, NC; and nephews Ross Conner, Raleigh, NC, and Greg Conner, Durham, NC. 2 great-nieces and 1 great-nephew plus cousins Betty Conner, Art Conner, and Joe Conner of Richmond, Virginia also survive her. The family would also like to extend its sincere appreciation to Elaine Schaedel, a dear friend and caregiver for 3 ½ years; Rebecca Munoz, Cindy Brantley, and Chelsi Rapaport from Perpetual Home Care; and the excellent care provided by Hospice of Wake County during her final weeks.

A visitation will take place on Sunday September 23, from 6 pm to 8pm at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue. Interment services will be private. A Memorial service will be held at 2 pm, on Monday September 24 at Hayes Barton Baptist Church at 1800 Glenwood Avenue (Five Points), Raleigh. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Debbie Ottavio to the Triangle Aphasia Unlimited, 191 High House Road, Cary, NC 27511; Diamonds in the Ruff Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 10033 Goldsboro, NC 27532 (www.diamondsintheruffcaninerescue.com); Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 ([email protected]); and the Hayes Barton Baptist Church TV Ministry, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608. Condolences and fond memories can be shared at www.MitchellatRMP.com.

The family wishes to thank all who provided support, love, and caring during her illness.

“Celebrate, we will, for life is short but sweet for certain.” - Dave Matthews Band