Deborah " Debi" S. (Harris) Poppke

Deborah S. Poppke passed away peacefully on December 5th, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family at her son’s home in Philadelphia, PA.

She was born on August 1st, 1951, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Constantine Harris and the late Petronella (Hrynko) Harris. Ever the adventurer, Debi lived in several different places throughout the country, including urban New Jersey, the wilderness of Idaho, the mountains of California, and rural east Texas, before ultimately settling back in Youngstown to raise her son among family and friends.

Debi received her bachelor’s in education from Youngstown State University. She then embarked on a thirty-plus year career as a special education teacher before retiring in 2019. Upon her retirement, Debi combined her lifelong love of nature, gardening, and learning by becoming a certified Master Gardner, where she spent countless hours volunteering in her beloved Mill Creek Park.

Debi leaves behind to cherish the memory of her son Daniel Poppke, daughter-in-law Suzanne Poppke, and granddaughter Claire Poppke of Philadelphia PA; sister Lori Porter (Earl) of Boardman OH; sister Sheryl Farris (Joe) of Sarasota FL; nephew Dean Porter of Brooklyn NY; nephew Sam Porter of Claremont CA; of Sarasota FL; and her dear cat Paloma.

Family and friends may call from 12:00-1:30PM Sunday, December 21st, 2025, at Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market Street, Boardman OH 44512, with a brief memorial service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for contributions to dedicate a bench to Debi’s memorial in her beloved Mill Creek Park. Link for contributions:

Memorial Bench Donation Link - Everloved

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St. Boardman.

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