Debra Maute

Debra Maute escaped the mortal realm on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at the age of 60, after a year-long battle with cancer. She fought valiantly, but ultimately passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.

Deb was world-renowned for being incredibly stubborn. In fact, the doctors said she had minutes to live, but she spent hours recounting stories with her family, and telling as many people as she could that she loved them.

She was genuine to fault, had an immensely positive outlook on life, and had a laugh and jokes that could make anyone smile, even in the worst of times. She loved without holding anything back and believed in the simple motto “be kind.”

She instilled many lessons in the people around her: to be unapologetically yourself, to work hard for what you want and not let anyone stand in the way, to never take yourself so seriously that you forget to laugh, and to show everyone compassion.

She is survived by her mother Joan Bergstresser, father Eugene Bergstresser, sisters Cindy Nowotarski, Barb Dietrich and Janet Bergstresser, her husband of thirty-five years Steve, two children, Tyler and Sara Maute, two spare children that her kids found along the way, Kathleen and Seth, two grand-cats that she tried to love, four grand-dogs that she actually loved, two spoiled grand-bunnies that took a piece of her heart (and a piece of her shirt), and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who will all miss her dearly. 

She will be cremated, and her ashes will be spread by her family via hot-air balloon, as requested by Deb, in order to have her children “confront their fear of heights.”

A “Celebration of Life” will be held in the spring. Date and time to be determined. The family asks that attendees refrain from wearing black, or other funeral attire, and bring their favorite memories of Deb. 

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating “in memory” to one of these charities that she liked to make contributions to: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, ASPCA, and The Smiles Foundation.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Debra Maute, please visit our floral store.