Deborah Stolfo

Deborah Carey Stolfo (Lockhart)'s life story began on April 14, 1958, in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin, France, and her Earthly chapter came to a close at the age of 66 on January 13, 2025, in Akron, Ohio, when she died of a heart attack.

She is survived by her children: Robin (Bebe) Heitic of Akron; Brandiann (Rodrigo) Garcia Salinas of Fort Myers, Florida; Meranda (Ryan) Adams of Fishers, Indiana; Samuel Stolfo of Akron; Erin (Phillip) Stolfo of Longwood, Florida; Shannon (Mike) Stolfo of Phoenix, Arizona, and Kristen Balouch of Brooklyn, New York. Also surviving are her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including: Barry Cross, Ryan Bennett, Beau Bennett, Maxuel Portillo, Adriana Stolfo, Jax Stolfo, Zoie Portillo, Holly Hodgson, Calliope Adams, Quincy Adams, Julian Cross, Jonni Garcia and Aria Cross.

Debbie is also survived by long-time partner, Patty McKinley, and her children and grandchildren, Sean and Todd, Noah and Lyla; former husband, David Stolfo; and brother, Bill (Gail) Lockhart. Her surviving friends are too numerous to count and name, but she loved them all.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William Lockhart and Judith Lockhart Jones, as well as her long-time step-father, Guy Jones. Her brother John; sisters, Patty and Lena; and grandson Keith, as well as many friends and other beloved relatives were also waiting for her in Heaven.

Debbie had a unique way of seeing the world and truly appreciated the gift of every day that she spent here on Earth. She was an old soul who noticed the minutest details and never lost her child-like wonder and delight at God's creation. When she could, she enjoyed visiting the many parks and trails around Akron with her children, and even when she could no longer take those hikes, she was never happier than to be sitting outside on the beach or in her backyard observing nature or creating art inspired by it.

She was humble but proud of all her accomplishments, especially her many children and grandkids, who knew her as "Mo." She taught them to notice and love not just nature but also people. Among her many legacies is a family and catalog of friends as diverse and mosaic as the art she produced and the music she loved. She was open-minded, non-judgmental and loved everyone by default and despite their faults. She taught her children to always choose kindness and never miss an opportunity to help someone.

Like the lyrics to one of her favorite songs by Carole King, Debbie's life was a tapestry of rich and royal hues. Born in France, she lived in more than a dozen cities before settling in Akron, where she graduated from North High School in 1976. She worked hard for more than 50 years, primarily in the transit industry at Akron METRO RTA and City Yellow Cab, where she found purpose in helping get people where they needed to go. She was a serial entrepreneur, whose creativity only expanded as she grew older and had time to slow down after a lifetime of hard work and raising kids.

Debbie lived her life by her own rules. She was a true artist, sculptor, and painter, who was always drawing or creating something. She was a music lover and dancer, with a beautiful voice we'll miss hearing sing along to her favorite songs. She was many things in her life including a teenage model, a waitress, a coach, a teacher, and more. She was a self-published author, who described herself as "a jack of all trades and a master of some." She was endlessly and fearlessly not afraid to try and fail and try again, true to her favorite quote by Thomas Edison: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that will not work." She did not know how to be bored, and so taught all of her children the power and importance of keeping on and getting things done.

Debbie always parted ways by saying, "See you later," and never goodbye. She loved and was loved by so many people. After a lifetime of pouring her heart into everyone and everything she did, her family takes peace in knowing she was ready to sit on the proverbial "Dock of the Bay," where she will be watching and waiting to see us all again later.

A celebration of Debbie's life will be held Sunday January 19, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home, 566 W Park Ave., Barberton, OH 44203. Friends will gather after at the Hyde Out on East Waterloo Road in Akron.