Deborah L. Sakara 1960-2023

She was born Sept. 30, 1960, the first of four children to Thomas Edward and Patricia Ann Venosky Mountford.

Debbie was a 1978 graduate of Boardman High School and studied cosmetology at MCCTC. Her first job was with First Federal Bank in Youngstown.

Debbie and her family moved to Florida, where she worked for Barnett Bank of Naples before returning to Youngstown in 1986. She was a loving and caring wife and mother; she raised her family and was the caretaker for her son, Tommy. During that busy time, Debbie still found the time and energy to work outside her home, including at LaVilla Sports Bar & Grille and The Fireplace Restaurant as both a server and bartender. Because of her constant smile, wonderful personality and genuine love for people, Debbie excelled in the food and beverage industry. Her customers loved her and she always leant an open ear. She built relationships with them and they loved her. As for Debbie’s co-workers, they knew it was going to be a busy night when they heard her yell to the back of the house, “FULL BAR.”

Over the years she also worked for the Hanni family at their various law firms and more recently for Lake Park Cemetery, helping families in mourning.

Debbie had a strong Catholic faith, blessed everyone with her holy water, said her daily prayers and was a member of St. Matthias Church.

Debbie’s labor of love was being the main caregiver for her son, Tommy. She made sure he knew the love of family and friends, and he experienced everything life had to offer.

Debbie enjoyed many things, including baseballs games and NHRA with her son, Tommy and brother, Tom; shopping dates with her daughter, Layla and granddaughter, Avery; taking care of her plants; playing darts with her husband, Marc; and going to concerts with her good friend, Janet. She also enjoyed bowling, playing cards and her scratch-off lottery tickets. Debbie was the best host in town, hosted every holiday, made it perfect, and of course, she waited on everyone and was always the last to eat. Most recently, she enjoyed watching her little Cha-Cha play softball.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Marc Allen Sakara of Youngstown; children, Layla Morris of Poland, Thomas “Tommy” Morris of Youngstown and Heather (Josh) Sakara of Struthers; grandchildren, Avery Lynn Patricia Morris of Poland and Lincoln James Calabrette of Struthers; siblings, Thomas Mountford of Youngstown, Colleen (Terry Round) Berarducci of Hubbard and Patrick (Christine) Mountford of Erie, Pa.; stepmother, Joanie Mountford; brother-in-law, Pete Berarducci; as well as nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Besides her parents, Deb was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Mary Sakara; father-in-law, Paul Sakara; and brother-in-law, Paul Sakara.

Debbie’s entire family would like to thank the staff of the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus ICU 51 for the care and compassion shown to her in her final hours.

There will be a viewing and the family will receive friends 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, and 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, at Cremation & Funeral Service by Gary S. Silvat Inc, 3896 Oakwood Ave., Austintown, OH 44515. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Monday, at St. Matthias Church.

Share memories and send condolences by visiting cremateohio.com.

(special notice)