Deborah S. Poppke 1951-2025
YOUNGSTOWN — Deborah S. Poppke passed away peacefully, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family at her son’s home in Philadelphia, Pa.
She was born Aug. 1, 1951, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Constantine Harris and the late Petronella Hrynko Harris. Ever the adventurer, Debi lived in several different places throughout the country, including urban New Jersey, the wilderness of Idaho, the mountains of California and rural East Texas before ultimately settling back in Youngstown to raise her son among family and friends.
Debi received her bachelor’s degree in education from Youngstown State University. She then embarked on a 30-plus-year career as a special education teacher before retiring in 2019.
Upon her retirement, Debi combined her lifelong love of nature, gardening and learning by becoming a certified Master Gardener, where she spent countless hours volunteering in her beloved Mill Creek Park.
Debi leaves behind to cherish her memory, her son, Daniel Poppke; daughter-in-law, Suzanne Poppke; and granddaughter, Claire Poppke of Philadelphia, Pa.; sisters, Lori Porter (Earl) of Boardman and Sheryl Farris (Joe) of Sarasota, Florida; nephews, Dean Porter of Brooklyn, New York, and Sam Porter of Claremont, California; and her dear cat, Paloma.
Family and friends may call noon to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman, OH 44512, with a brief memorial service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for contributions to dedicate a bench in Debi’s memory in her beloved Mill Creek Park, https://everloved.com/life-of/deborah-poppke/.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Family and friends may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to give condolences to the family.
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