Helen Haynor, 95, sewing machine operator

RAVENA — Deborah A. Cantwell (Canastra), 62, passed away peacefully on Saturday Dec. 31, 2022.

She was born in Brooklyn on Dec. 5, 1960, to the late Richard and Helen Feuerhahn Lang. After being raised on Long Island, the family moved upstate, and for her senior year, she attended and graduated from Middleburgh High School. In 1980, she married the late Timothy Canastra, and together they had three children, whom she raised before going back to school.

Debbie graduated from Columbia-Greene Community College with a degree in nursing, and worked in various nursing homes and hospitals, most recently working for YesCare at the Coxsackie Correctional Facility. She had resided in Oak Hill, Greenville, and after she married Michael F. Cantwell in 2018, they resided in Ravena.

Debbie was a past president of the Oak Hill Ladies Auxiliary, a volunteer for the Durham Ambulance, and was known in Oak Hill as the neighborhood nurse. She loved cooking and would cook for everyone. She enjoyed swimming and watching gory medical shows. More than anything, she loved being a grandma. 

Debbie is survived by her beloved husband, Michael F. Cantwell; her children, Timothy (Sharon Fitzgerald), Michael (Janie Udicious), and Caitlyn Canastra; her granddaughter, Nora Canastra; her siblings, Diane (Dale) Dean, Anson Schuman, Jr., Barbara Ryneir, Harry (Myrna) Schuman, Janet Lang, and Jennifer Franze; and many nieces and nephews. 

Debbie’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff on the Hospice Unit in St. Peter’s Hospital for the special care and kindness that was shown to Debbie and her family.

Debbie has been privately cremated. Calling hours will be held on Friday, Jan. 6, from 12-2 p.m. at the A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Durham Ambulance, P.O. Box 99, East Durham, NY 12423. Condolences can be posted at ajcunninghamfh.com.