Obituary of Deborah L. Heil

Deborah Lee Heil, age 74 of Bath, NY, passed away on Friday, May 29th at Ira Davenport Hospital after battling a long illness. Debby was born on March 25th 1941 in Lewiston, Maine; the daughter of Vernard Bryant and Vera Dyer Bryant. She married her soulmate, Ralph Heil, in York, Maine on February 20th, 1960, where they lived until moving to Bath in the mid 1960's. They recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. Debby was a graduate of York High School. In York, she enjoyed spending time with her beloved brothers, cousins, nieces and nephews. Even after moving away from that area, Debby always enjoyed spending time during the summer vacationing to Maine and eating the much anticipated Maine lobster. Before her retirement, Debby was employed by Ira Davenport Hospital as a medical dictation transcriptionist, and many of you may remember her being a medical secretary for the late Dr. Chapman. After retirement, she enjoyed and kept busy by being an Avon representative. In the 1970's, Debby was the District and Local President of the Bath Jayncees. She was a member of the VFW. An avid golfer, Debby enjoyed herWednesday afternoon Women's Twilight Golf League at the Bath Country Club with her girlfriends. She also once enjoyed the competitiveness of bowling. Debby was predeceased by her father, Vernard L. Bryant, her mother, Vera L. Bryant and her brother, Alan V. Bryant. Surviving this very devoted wife, mother and "Nana" are her loving husband, Ralph W. Heil of 218 West Morris Street in Bath; her son Jeff (Heather) Heil of Bath; daughter Julie (Roger) Santacroce of Bath; grandsons, Brett Santacroce of Denver, Colorado, Brenden Heil of Tampa, Florida, Brady Santacroce of Corning, NY and Garrett Heil of Buffalo, NY; Brother, Dale Bryant of York, Maine; Several out of state family members, a lot of very close special friends, and her cherished cat "Mister". Family and friends are invited to call at Fagan's Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 3rd from 10:30 am until 1 pm, at which time a funeral to celebrate Debby's life will follow. Father Brad Benson will be officiating. Her burial will then be held at the Bath National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The American Heart Association or Care First. "The hardest part of losing someone isn't having to say goodbye, but rather learning to live without them, always trying to fill the void, the emptiness that's left inside your heart when they go."