Barbara Priscilla DeBonte's Obituary
Barbara Priscilla DeBonte, 83, of Lewes, Delaware, passed away on May 9, 2023, with her family at her side. Born on January 12, 1940, in New York, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Frances (nee Jenkowski) Jozwicki.
Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Barbara graduated from Washington Irving High School where, among other distinctions, she received the Alliance Francaise Award. She later attended Hunter College and the City College of New York. Barbara worked as an administrative assistant at McGraw-Hill in New York City, as well as with Union Carbide, Joseph L. Muscarelle, Inc., Paul O. Abby Engineering and Movers International, Inc.
On September 17, 1960, Barbara married the love of her life, Cornelius DeBonte, and together they created a wonderful life and a loving home for their family. After raising their children in New Jersey, Barbara and Cornelius moved to and enjoyed many years on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. In 2019, Barbara and Cornelius moved to the Delaware coast, settling into a beautiful home in Lewes.
Not only did she instill the importance of education in her children, Barbara also demonstrated the value of community service through her extensive volunteer work. While a resident of New Jersey, she volunteered as a care provider for children with AIDS in Jersey City. As a breast cancer survivor, Barbara was active with North Jersey cancer support groups, dispensing hugs and words of encouragement to all she met. She was a dedicated volunteer at Cape Cod Hospital and the Atwood Museum while a resident of Massachusetts. Barbara belonged to the Little Falls (NJ) and Chatham (Massachusetts) Women’s Clubs.
Barbara was a fierce pickleball competitor and also enjoyed tennis, golf, and skiing (water and snow). She had a divine gift for gardening, with a particular passion for white orchids. Barbara was a devout parishioner at Our Lady of the Holy Angels Catholic Church (NJ), Holy Redeemer Catholic Church (Massachusetts), and St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church (Delaware). Barbara’s deep, life-long belief in the healing power of prayer was unwavering.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Frances Jozwicki; her husband’s parents, Angeline and Cornelius DeBonte; her sister and brother-in-law, Leona and Clement Olfano; and her brother-in-law, Domenick Randazzo. She is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Cornelius DeBonte; her daughter Donna DeBonte (James Rauch); her son, Neal Michael DeBonte (Claudia DeBonte); and her daughter, Kim DeBonte (Nancy Massaro). Barbara’s love for her three grandchildren, Olivia, Molly and Sophia, was obvious and profound.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, DE, where friends may call beginning at 10:00 AM.
All who cannot attend in person are invited to join the services at St. Jude the Apostle via live streaming by visiting the following link on their website: https://www.youtube.com/@StJudeTheApostleChurchLewesDE/streams
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Barbara’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org) or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801899, Dallas, TX 75380 (www.komen.org).
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 3:00 PM ON TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023, TO OUR LEWES LOCATION.
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