Debbie A. Nasto

Debbie A. Nasto, age 59, of Utica, passed away on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at the Katherine Luther Residential Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Utica on October 1, 1953, Debbie was the daughter of Carmella (Scalzo) Nasto and the late Michael A. Nasto. She attended Brandegee Elementary School and later attended the Workshop at ARC for over 30 years. Heaven welcomed a new Angel, and Heaven help them! Those who knew Debbie know she was quite a character. Those who did not, Debbie was QUITE a character. Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s as a Down Syndrome child, she had a father who NEVER thought of her as disabled. He thought of her as normal and treated her as such. He encouraged her to try anything and everything, and she did. She was a cheerleader for the ARC basketball team. She worked at the ARC for over 30 years. She went to school. She won Gold Medals… a lot of Gold Medals… in the Special Olympics. She enjoyed listening to a variety of music, especially The Beatles, The Monkees, and Elvis, and dancing to the tunes of the 60’s and 70’s. She couldn’t hold a tune in a bucket, but loved to sing. She stood all of 4’10” and thought she was a skyscraper. She always would say “I can do this, that, or the other thing”, and she would try. Her father never made her feel “different” and never thought of her as different. But the truth was, she was different- in the best of ways! She was a better person than any normal person. She was always laughing, always positive, always kind, always loyal, always gentle, and always larger than life. She was a warrior. She didn’t give in, didn’t give up, and fought the good fight and ran the race of life with zest, and deserved a Gold Medal for it. RIP Deb. She will always be in our hearts. Debbie is survived by her mother, Carmella Nasto; her brother and sister-in-law, Michael, Jr. and Margaret Nasto of Whitesboro; her nieces Laura Emily Nasto, and Kathryn Elizabeth Nasto; her aunt, Sarah (Scalzo) Pezzulo; and many cousins and friends. She was predeceased by many aunts and uncles. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff of the Valley Crest West Unit at Lutheran Health Care for their empathetic care and attention. The family will honor and celebrate Debbie’s life in a private gathering. Funeral services and Interment in Calvary Cemetery are private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of floral offerings, memorial contributions may be considered to the ARC of Oneida County, 245 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501. The Eannace Funeral Home, 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. is providing the guidance in lighting the path for the Nasto family in commemorating Debbie’s life.

Debbie A. Nasto

October 1, 1953 - January 2, 2013