Deborah Stehlik Memorial Music Fund

Deborah M. Stehlik, 49, of Babylon, NY passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital. Deborah, daughter of Linda Rubano and the late Dennis Rubano was born on September 27, 1973, and raised in Bethpage, NY.

Deborah graduated from Bethpage High School and received an undergraduate and Masters degree in music education from C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. Deborah furthered her education receiving an advanced certificate in educational leadership at Hofstra University where she was also an adjunct professor teaching movement in the Orff-Shulwerk courses. Additionally, Deborah was the past president of the Nassau Music Educators Association and as an avid music enthusiast was responsible for her students’ excellence in NYSSMA festivals, chorus concerts, recorder performances, theater productions and NY State Music Festivals. Over the past 25 plus years, the Bethpage School District has been lucky to have Deborah as a music educator where she taught at Kramer Lane Elementary School, Bethpage High School and most currently at Central Boulevard Elementary School where she was first musically inspired by her childhood music teacher Mrs. Kelly. Deborah was also the past district chairperson for choral and classroom music; her leadership and dynamic teaching style has positively influenced the Bethpage music program.

Deborah’s greatest pride who she loved and adored is her seventeen-year-old daughter, Sophia. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Sophia has also dedicated her life to the musical arts. Deborah could not have been prouder of Sophia's accomplishments. Deborah was a constant presence in her daughter's life, serving as protector, confidant and friend. Deborah also had a passion for fitness and enjoyed training at CrossFit where she met her partner, Bill O’Keefe. Bill was by her side supporting her every day while never giving up hope.

Deborah is survived by her mother Linda Rubano of Rocky Hill, CT, her daughter Sophia of West Islip, her partner Bill O'Keefe of Babylon, NY, her brother John Rubano and his wife Jeanee along with her godson Landon of South Glastonbury, CT, her former spouse Jim Stehlik of West Islip, NY, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Dennis Rubano along with her godfather, Richard Rubano.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at the Sunrise Las Vegas Hospital, Five Towns Premier Rehabilitation Center and Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital for their kindness and compassion shown to Deborah throughout the last weeks of her life.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023, from 2:00-4:00pm & 7:00-9:00p.m. at the Claude R. Boyd-Spencer Funeral Home, 448 West Main Street., Babylon, NY. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Church, 666 Albin Avenue, West Babylon, NY. Interment to follow. She will be laid to rest at the North Babylon Cemetery, 784 Sunrise Highway S Service Road, Bayshore, NY.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Deborah's memory will be made to the Bethpage Public Schools Music Department via https://gofund.me/02df9429