Deborah A. Harshbarger

Deborah A. Harshbarger of West Chester

Deborah A. Harshbarger, 63 of West Chester, PA passed away suddenly Saturday February 3, 2018 at Paoli Hospital.

She is survived by her loving and caring  husband of 38 years Barry S. Harshbarger; her loving sisters Elizabeth Hooten (Phil) and Barbara Fischer ( John); brother- in- law Lee Harshbarger; her beloved dogs, Cody and Kelsey;  and many loving nieces Lauren, Brittany, Elizabeth, Lorianne, Kimberly, Kelly, and Michelle; and nephew Philip and great nieces Hailey and Addison.

Born September 20, 1954 in Philadelphia, PA. she was the eldest daughter of the late Harry P. Huder and Anne McAvoy Huder.

Deb was a devout member of St. Agnes Church. She graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education and later completed her Master’s work in education at Temple University.

Deb’s first teaching position was at the Mitchell-Main Line Day School in Haverford which is where she met the love of her life Barry.

Her next teaching position was at the John Wanamaker Junior High School in Philadelphia where she worked with physically and mentally challenged children for over 10 years. Her most recent teaching assignment was at the Valley Forge Elementary School in the Tredyffrin-Eastown School District working there for 16 years and retired in 2017. Deb was so devoted to her job, that even after retiring just a few months ago, she continued to volunteer, teaching the students she loved.

Deb was an accomplished pianist, enjoyed dancing, crossword puzzles, and art.  Most of all, she loved to surround herself with family and friends.

Deb was a wonderful wife, sister, aunt, and teacher and although she had more than her share of suffering in her lifetime, it was completely bearable to her because she was surrounded by a loving and devoted husband and family as well as her Valley Forge Elementary School coworkers and other dear friends.  Deb always believed things would get better. Deb was an amazing person who always thought of others before herself. She loved the students no matter what the circumstances and always saw the good in every person even when others did not.   Her life lesson to all of us is the need to persevere and stay positive especially when times are difficult. We will all miss her positive spirit, laughter, kindness and support.

Relatives and Friends are invited to her visitation on Friday, February 16, 2018 from 9-10 am at the St. Agnes Church, 233 W. Gay St. West Chester, PA 19380; followed by her Funeral Mass at 10am.

Interment will be held in private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made in Deb’s name and sent to the Dr. K. Rajender Reddy Research Fund, Penn Medicine Development, c/o Andrew Bellet, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104."  The fund is not on line, if anyone would like to give a donation via credit card contact Andrew Bellet at 215-573-0548.

Much of Dr. Reddy’s work is focused on diseases that affect liver function and how complications from these diseases can further impair a patient’s health and quality of life.  He is working on advancing therapies and trials to help improve options for patients.  Gifts to his fund would support this research.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com.