Deborah Lynn Best

Deborah “Debbie” Lynn Best, 60, of Ashtabula (formerly of Conneaut), passed away peacefully at Saybrook Landing Health Care in Ashtabula, OH, Tuesday evening, December 31st, 2019. She was born in Conneaut, OH on July 2nd, 1959 to Harold D. and Delores J. (Church) Best.

She was a 1977 graduate of Ashtabula St. John High School where she was a majorette. Debbie also received her Bachelor’s Degree from Kent State University and then a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Clarion University. Debbie worked as the head librarian at the Lake Erie Correctional Institute in Conneaut for many years.

Debbie was a life-long learner and was in the process of writing her autobiography. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, listening to music especially Pearl Jam, and dancing. She was also an avid Cleveland sports fan! Debbie’s greatest passion though was caring for her cats and volunteering countless hours at the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League and Harbor Cat Rescue in Ashtabula. She even hosted a weekly radio talk show to help cats find new homes.

She will be greatly missed by: her son, Curtis Stiles; father, Harold Best; sisters, Faye (Jerry) Lampela, Janet Ferguson, Cindy (Mark) Nelson; brother, Gary (Tracey) Best; nieces, Jennifer Best, Jessica (Drew) Fetters, Audrey Drago; nephews, Brett Best, Michael Nelson, Jeremy Ferguson, Noah Best; and many friends.

Debbie is preceded in death by: her mother, Delores J. Best; brother-in-law, Randy Ferguson; and all the beloved cats she has cared for and loved over the years.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 4 P.M., FRIDAY, JANUARY 10TH, 2020 AT BEST FUNERAL HOME, 15809 MADISON RD., MIDDLEFIELD, OH 44062 with Joyce Benesh officiating. Family and friends will be received on Friday from 2 P.M. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made in Debbie’s honor to the Ashtabula Harbor Cat Rescue by visiting https://harborcatrescue.org.

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