Deborah (Deb) Chadburn Valenta of Wayne, PA, NYC, and Rutland, VT, passed to Heaven in early March, 2022. She is the daughter of Marian Chadburn Valenta, and Joseph Valenta, who predeceased her. She is the granddaughter of Iris & Gerald Chadburn, of Irasburg.

She is survived by her brother, Kevin Valenta, and his wife Lisa, of West Calvin Township, PA, and his sister, Corinne Dudley, and her husband, Brad, of Irasburg. She is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, most from the NEK, and her two nieces, & two nephews.

Deb grew up outside of Philadelphia where she lived with her family though much time was spent in Irasburg on holidays & vacations. Deb completed her undergrad studies at Syracuse and then grad school for neurobiology at UConn and Columbia. During her combination MS & PhD program in Neurobiology, she also taught several undergrad courses at both institutions. She was a highly intelligent person, despite her illness, and was often faced with discrimination that people with severe mental illness somehow have less mental capacity. She challenged this and brought awareness to others to not assume that because someone is taking lots of meds or acts differently does not mean they are less of a person. Everyone has something to offer.

Deb faced many challenges in her adult life including a courageous fight with severe mental illness that interfered with her hopes and dreams both professionally and personally. As a result, Deb came to Vermont where she lived in the Rutland area for the past 4 decades.  She also spent time in Irasburg and Glover with her sister.

Despite life's challenges, Deb usually had a great big infectious smile, was optimistic, gentle and unconditionally accepting with her family and friends to such a degree that we should aspire to. While many of us struggle to be accepting of others and less than patient at times, when Deb was doing well, she demonstrated what it seems Jesus would want us all to do. Show loving kindness. Her legacy is not the letters after her name or the research papers she wrote, but rather a legacy of the heart that in Gods eyes means so much more than money and earthly prestige. Debbie loved and accepted all those around her. She loved how God wants us to love, not by what we look like, how much money or things we have, who we are or what we think we have accomplished, but rather simply because in the end we are all just people.

Deb loved to expressed her love and caring to those around her through her baking, and oh what a good baker she was. Her faith and going to church when she could was important to her, as well as her involvement in her apartment resident's association, bringing opportunities for enjoyment and enrichment to others.  In the past, Deb volunteered, including at a local animal shelter, delivering Meals on Wheels, and answering a MH Warm Line for others struggling. Deb enjoyed touching base with the people she delivered meals to as she realized that in many instances she was their only connection to the world outside their homes.  She blessed people with her warm smile and her ability to be still and listen.

Deb loved family. She especially enjoyed visiting family in PA. She loved cats and had some very special felines in her life. She loved music, all kinds of music, from church hymns she played, to choirs she participated in in her youth, to being an avid listener of classic rock music throughout the years.

Most of all, Deb loved. When she was doing well, she was so very thoughtful to those around her, sending cards, baking, or helping someone else with tasks. Her quiet smile would quite simply warm your heart.

Deb will be missed by her family and friends, most especially her younger sister whom she connected with almost daily. "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Said the Lord. Mathew 11:28. Despite our devastation of loss, Deb is at peace and rest with God.

There will be a memorial service and celebration of Deb's life at Irasburg United Church in late spring early summer followed by burial in Irasburg cemetery. For those who choose to remember Deb through giving, please consider a donation to Meals on Wheels or your area food shelf.

Arrangements through Aldous, Rutland, and Curtis-Britch & Bouffard in Newport. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.