Deborah A. Stern, 68, of Hightstown, NJ, beloved sister and best friend to Nikki Stern, has passed away at her sister’s Princeton, NJ home after a fierce battle with pancreatic cancer.
Deborah was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the late James and Hilda Stern. After matriculating as a theater major at Webster College in St. Louis, she received an MFA from Wayne State University in Detroit and performed at the Hilberry Classic Theater. She worked primarily on stage at a number of professional theater venues, including Arena State in Washington, Dorset Summer Theater in Vermont, where she also served briefly as theater director, and the Virginia Stage Company in Norfolk. It was there she performed her favorite role, as the pirate Anne Bonney, in the musical “Hot Grog.” She also appeared briefly on Broadway as Daisy in “Spokesong” opposite John Lithgow.
Deborah also worked as a corporate presentation skills consultant and a web designer. More recently, she obtained a Masters in Library Science and Information Systems from Drexel University in Philadelphia.
A talented cook and an accomplished seamstress, Deborah loved to swim a mile nearly every day. In retirement, she began a successful dog sitting business. She was known for a wicked sense of humor and a penchant for small kindnesses, remembering birthdays and special occasions with handwritten notes.
In addition to her sister, Deborah is survived by her brother David, two nephews, Theodore and Andrew, and a group of devoted friends.
Deborah chose to donate her body to the Anatomical Association, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers University in support of furthering medical education, research and the advancement of science.
In accordance with Deborah’s wishes, no services will be held at this time. The family asks that friends and loved ones consider a donation in Deborah’s name to either the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.