Windsor, VT – Deborah Jean Skoby, 71 of Windsor, VT passed away on July 30th, 2026 in her home. Born on August 8th, 1954, in Claremont, NH, she is the daughter of predeceased Victor M. and Lorraine M. (Asselin) Skoby. She is also survived by her 3 siblings, brother Stephen (Kathleen) Skoby from South Carolina, Susan Skoby from Rhode Island and Linda Skoby-Ames from Claremont, NH. She is also survived by nieces Jackie Ames, Beth (John and son Andrew) Brunett, and nephews Matthew (Heather, sons Jackson and Carter) Skoby, Mike (Kaila Schulte) Skoby and Norma Jean Simon (longtime friend) from Windsor, VT. Deborah was a superb athlete and played basketball all four years of high school, winning the St. Joseph Sports Award in her senior year. She went on to earn a BS in Medical Technology, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of New Hampshire in 1976. During her time at UNH, Deborah was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi and Alpha Epsilon Delta honor societies, which acknowledge academic excellence. She was also nominated for inclusion in the 1975-1976 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, Deborah was also awarded Med Tech Student of the Year in 1976. Upon graduation, Deborah obtained a long career in Medical Technology, starting the first of multiple jobs at the VA Hospital. In 1986, Deborah took a position as an Assistant Professor at the New Hampshire Vocational Technical College in Claremont, NH where she evaluated and coordinated MIT student activities and their hospital affiliation sites. She then moved on to a Clean Lab Technician job at Spectra, Inc. where she worked in collaboration with engineer personnel to develop color ink jet printers. In 1990, Deborah returned to the Clinical Laboratory at the VA Hospital as a rotating Medical Technologist and worked her way up to a position as Ancillary Testing Coordinator. She was awarded Employee of The Year in 2000 for her stellar efforts in this position and ultimately retired from the VA Hospital in January of 2013 with 30 years of service.
After retiring from the VA, Deborah enjoyed her morning routine of a strong cup of coffee while tackling top-tier Sudoku, crosswords and other high-level puzzles, rarely ever getting stumped! Deborah enjoyed traveling and went to 15 different countries with family and friends. In 1982, Deborah embarked on a three-month backpacking trip across Europe with her friend, Norma Jean. Other travels included domestic trips across the United States. Deborah brought her yard to life with a kaleidoscope of color, every season a different color scheme. She spent countless hours cultivating her magnificent "showstopper" wildflower gardens that drew rave reviews from people, many of whom felt a moment of peace and tranquility as they passed by. Other hobbies she was passionate about were hiking, fishing, and a general reverence and love of nature's bounty. An avid bird lover, she even set out a bear-proof feeder that attracted a wide variety of beautiful birds. The resident bear was not so happy!Deborah was the family archivist, compiling scrapbooks of nephew's football careers, framing family collages, and putting together customized 50th birthday music videos for her siblings. In these and other ways, Deborah honored family memories and traditions, and made new ones to hopefully be passed down as part of her legacy.Her passion for basketball began in the 1960's with the Boston Celtics. In high school, Deborah was a superb athlete and played basketball all four years, winning the Saint Joseph's Sports Award in her Senior year. Years later, her passion was rekindled when superstar Caitlin Clark (CC22) joined the Indiana Fever. Last year, Deborah and sister Susan finally attended a live Fever game at The Boston Garden, a dream come true!One of her greatest joys was raising her goats Rascal and Ramsey. The goats had a custom built, 5-star residence featuring many amenities. They were spoiled rotten, as were all of the beloved cats and dogs taken in over the years. Ellie, her beloved dog companion, and Kelsey, her sassy playmate, will miss her immeasurably. Deborah cherished family time spent together. Whether it be cookouts, Sunday dinners, visiting relatives, or adventures, these precious moments filled her heart with happiness. Deborah was a devoted sister, daughter, and niece. Over the years, she found ways to keep her family together- she was the glue that bound us. Siblings were invited over for holiday meals, family trips were planned, and she always kept in touch with relatives that family had lost touch with. When family was in need, she took on caretaking responsibilities for many years, a labor of love. For holidays, Deborah made up contests/games with her own zany twist. Whether it was charades, hiding clues for Easter Egg hunts, or stuffing stockings with scratch tickets, Deborah was the life of the party. Her creative and hysterical party game renditions of games such as Musical Chairs and Open Gifts Wearing Oven Mitts quickly became a highly quick-witted, generous and fun-loving. Deborah brought laughter, life and love wherever she went. Her legacy lives on through her love for her family, friends and loved ones. Deborah was a kind and gentle soul, and humility was her middle name. She loved deeply and knew no other way. It was that gift that endeared others to her. She listened with her heart, and always through the lens of empathy and compassion. She was loved dearly and will be sorely missed.Deborah was beyond grateful for the care that she received from her long-time physician, Dr. Michael Lyons (WRFP), whom she adored. Special thanks to Bayada Home Health Care for providing compassionate, quality care, which made it possible for her to stay in her home.
Calling hours will be held at Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street, Claremont, N.H. from 1-2pm, followed by a service at 2pm., on Friday August 7th.
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes