Deborah Defile

Deborah DeFile

March 30, 1954 – March 21, 2025

Debbie was born in Hudson, NY to Carolyn P. Unson DeFile (deceased April 2, 2012) and Patrick J. DeFile (deceased December 2, 2005).

The family moved to Rhinebeck in 1961 and Debbie attended Rhinebeck Central School (Class of 1972). She married her high school sweetheart, Peter Van Etten, had two children, Erik and Emily. They lived in the hamlet of Rhinecliff.

After Debbie and Pete divorced, she married Don Thomases and they had a son, Andrew, and Don's son, Jacob, from a previous marriage.

In 2013 she was diagnosed with Waldenstrom's Bone Marrow Cancer. She was not a candidate with this type of cancer, for a bone marrow transplant.

In 2019 Debbie became a resident at Livingston Hills Nursing Home. Up until recently, she was able to get around the facility with a walker and then in a wheelchair. We called her "The Mayor" of the Nursing Home. She "tooled" around the halls visiting people, and she had a special friend, Ron. It helped her to have his friendship … she was grateful to have him in her life. They would roll their wheelchairs back and forth to visit each other.

With all of her health issues, nothing kept her down for too long. We used to say that she was "the Energizer Bunny" …. She kept going and going. There were so many times that she almost left us, but she had "Nine Lives". This time she ran out of energy and lives.

She was definitely a survivor and overcame so many trials and tribulations. Now she is not in pain and at peace. That is the ONLY thing that will give us comfort.

Surviving are her siblings: JoAnn DeFile (Al who passed March 3, 2016) of Red Hook, NY; Darlene Moore and her husband, Harold, of Tivoli, NY; and John DeFile of Rhinebeck, NY and Port St. Lucie, FL.

Children: Erik Van Etten (Lindsay) of Saugerties, NY

Grandchildren: Maxton, Bryce and Brooks

Emily Van Etten (Christian) of Rhinecliff, NY

Grandchildren: Raylie and Rowan

Andrew Thomases (Alexa) of Delmar, NJ

Grandchildren: Harrison and Lily

Nieces and Nephews:

Melissa Roome Seymour (Tim) Tyler of Red Hook, NY

Andrea Roome Osterhoudt (David) Mason & Kylie of Hyde Park, NY

Tara Moore Kinslow (Nic) of Las Vegas, NV

Kyle Moore (Hannah) Levi & Harper of Hudson, NY

Patrick DeFile (Cassie) of Kingston, NY

John Michael DeFile (Lindsay) of California

Debbie will be cremated and there will be a private interment at Wiltwyck Cemetery in Kingston, NY. She will be placed next to her beloved partner, Al who passed in 2011.

The family would like to thank Samantha Ferraiuolo, Debbie's long-time caregiver and friend. Also, Livingston Hills Nursing Home and the nurses; especially, Dawn and Val and the entire staff.