Deb Dorneden

Mary Deborah “Deb” Stonecipher Dorneden, age 68, of Montgomery, formerly of Elburn, passed away unexpectedly in the early morning hours of February 28,2019, following complications from bypass surgery, at Presence Mercy Center Hospital.
She was born August 24, 1950, in Geneva, IL, to proud parents, Virgil and Margaret (Miller) Stonecipher.
Deb’s mom passed away tragically when she was only thirteen months old, and Virgil found a mother and partner in Clara Stonecipher for his three children. Clara had three children of her own but had more than enough room in her heart for everyone.
Deb grew up in Elburn and attended local schools. She graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 1968. Deb cheered on her alma mater from the stands and from on the field as a cheerleader before receiving her diploma.
Deb had an eye for a certain gentleman and made it known her heart was his for the taking. Gregory Dorneden gladly gave his in return and they were united in marriage on November 28, 1969. They began their new life together on 1st St. in Elburn and were blessed with a son Jason, one son that was born into Heaven, John Paul, and later Emily made the family complete. The family moved to Georgia but for a short time and when they moved back, Deb and Gregory decided to walk separate paths. Deb and her children moved back to Elburn on Willow Street.
Deb worked at the Elburn Public Works for many years while the children were growing up. She also worked at the Kane County Court House. Deb worked for Lucent Technologies for seventeen years while taking night classes at North Central College to obtain a degree in business and a minor in psychology. It was also during this time that she valiantly fought and eventually won her battle with breast cancer. Deb graduated from North Central on June 8, 1996. Deb was laid off in the early 2000’s and promptly moved to be near her daughter Emily in California. In 2005, Deb returned to her Midwestern roots, settling in Montgomery and found work at Heartland Blood Center as an assistant.
Deb was a faithful lifelong member of St. Gall Catholic Church in Elburn.
She was a fighter her whole life; whether they were her own demons, a myriad of health problems or the overwhelming anxiety about just about anything. This blinded her to the big picture and narrowed her vision to the cell she created for herself. Yet her bravery, fierce love of family, and courage brought her through each and every day. When Deb’s grandson, J.J., was born, her world changed in an instant. She adored him completely and poured herself into his life, sharing her faith, spirituality and how to live your life, using hard work to make your dreams come true. Being an awesome grandma came naturally to her, and like Clara before her, Deb had a heart that had enough love for everyone. She helped raise her grandchildren passing on wisdom earned from the school of “hard knocks”. Everyone who knew her was changed the moment they met her. Her loss affects so many but after a lifetime of struggles; Deb is now at rest in the arms of her Savior.
She is survived by her two children: Jason (Carol) Dorneden and Emily Dorneden; five grandchildren: Jason “J.J.” , Chris, Luke, Felisha and Brian McRedmond; three siblings: William Hardt, Marilyn (Chuck) Shanholzer and Diana White; many nieces and nephews and a family of friends.
She is preceded in death by her son, John Paul who died in infancy, her parents: Margaret Miller, Clara Stonecipher and Virgil Stonecipher; one brother, Tom Stonecipher and a sister, Marlene Zanardi.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 7, 2019, from 4-8 p.m., at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A Mass to celebrate her faith will be Friday, March 8, 2019, at 10 a.m., with a visitation from 9-9:45 a.m., at St. Gall Catholic Church, 43W885 Hughes Rd., Elburn. Fr. Christopher DiTomo, pastor of the church, will officiate with interment to follow at St. Gall Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Deb’s name to benefit breast cancer research and other favorite charities. Checks may be made to the “Mary Deborah Dorneden Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A Mass to celebrate her faith will be Friday, March 8, 2019, at 10 a.m., with a visitation from 9-9:45 a.m., at St. Gall Catholic Church, 43W885 Hughes Rd., Elburn. Fr. Christopher DiTomo, pastor of the church, will officiate with interment to follow at St. Gall Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 7, 2019, from 4-8 p.m., at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119.

St. Gall Cemetery