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Sylvia Stebbins

Sylvia “Sally” M. Stebbins passed away peacefully on Sept. 24 at Middlesex Hospital, surrounded by her beloved family after a brief illness. Sally was a lifelong resident of Deep River.

She graduated from Valley Regional High School in 1957 and soon after married her husband of almost 64 years, Donny. In the earlier years of raising their four children, Sally worked for Liberty Bus Lines. She loved driving Sonny and his teammates to their soccer and baseball games. Sally then worked for many years as the chief dispatcher at Control 5 Emergency Center. During this time, she was an active and proud member of APCO. She soon after pursued her lifelong dream of being a nurse by attending Ona M. Wilcox School of Nursing. She completed a five-year evening nursing program while also working full-time and raising her family. Sally worked for Middlesex Hospital for many years as a MedSurg Nurse and homecare nurse. She was also a supervisor at Saybrook Convalescent Home and Essex Meadows Health Center. She finished up her nursing career working for Middlesex GI Associates – finally retiring at the age of 73.

Sally was predeceased by her parents, Leno Malcarne and Florence (Bangs) Malcarne; her husband, Donny; her beloved son, Sonny; her brother, Paul (Mike) Malcarne; and her sweet dog, Nike. She is survived by her three daughters, Donna (Keith) Nelson, Terri (Vito) Savino, and Marcia-Lee (Charles) Crilly. She leaves behind her seven grandchildren, whom she was so very proud of: Todd (Kristy) Nelson, Eric (Theresa) Nelson, Ashley (Tyler) Saunders, Kyle Savino, Logan-Tory Burdick, Jacob Burdick, and Charlie Crilly. The latter years of Sally’s life were enriched by the presence of her great-grandsons, Grayson Nelson and Leif Furbish-Nelson, whom she adored. Sally has many nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly. Sally is survived by her siblings, Jack (Charlene) Malcarne and Penny (Bill) Grote.

The family would like to especially thank the Essex Ambulance Association as well as all of the Middlesex Health staff who took such wonderful care of her.

A memorial service was held on Sept. 27 at the Deep River Congregational Church, 1 Church Street in Deep River. Sally was loved by all who knew her. She impacted so many lives during her time as a home care nurse in our community and will be missed beyond words. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Deep River Congregational Church, Deep River Ambulance Association, or Essex Ambulance Association. To share a memory of Sally or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.