Deborah Mary (Mills) Kaminin

She was born in Buffalo, New York on November 29, 1945, to her beloved father, the late Ogden Clyde Mills, and mother, the late Amy Burrows Averill.

Debby was raised in Kenmore, New York, graduating from Kenmore West Senior High School in 1963. She spent many of her summers as a proud camper at Camp Otter in Dorset, Canada. After high school graduation, Debby attended Centenary College in New Jersey, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree in 1965 (with Debbie Harry her claim to fame) and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1968. She immediately enlisted in AmeriCorps VISTA, and was assigned to help families in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is there that she met the love of her life, Andrei Anatoly Kaminin, to whom she wed in 1969, wearing her mother’s pearlized orange blossoms under her veil. Together, Andrei and Debby raised two daughters, Tracie and Melissa, in Charlotte, to whom she devoted her heart and soul. Debby eventually relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina in 1997 to be closer to Melissa. She worked in medical transcription first in Charlotte and continuing in Wilmington until retiring after more than 30 years which she said was perfect timing since the profession was being overtaken by the dreaded Dragon Dictation. She spent her down time keeping her mind sharp by reading books and playing bridge, pennies, and pinochle, hanging out with her Ya-Yas, traveling with family and friends, and most importantly, spending time with her daughters and granddaughters.

Debby was predeceased by her parents and brother, Terence Lee Mills. She is survived by her adoring husband, Andrei, of Wilmington, NC, her daughters Tracie Hall Gelbstein (Jon) of Hampton, NH and Melissa Mills Kaminin of Bryans Road, MD, her brother Jeffrey Ogden Mills (Bonnie) of Garner, NC, and her most cherished ones, granddaughters, Jessica and Lucy Gelbstein. Sadly, Debby had given so much of her heart to her family that she did not keep enough to stay with us longer. Debby will be missed every second of every day.

 A Celebration of Life will be planned in her hometown sometime this summer.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Debby to the American Heart Association at heart.org.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com