Deborah Morey

Deborah Morey​

WARNERS LAKE — Deborah Morey, whom her husband describes as a guardian of her family and beloved by everyone who met her, died on Tuesday, July 18, 2017. She was 64.

Mrs. Morey was born on June 17, 1953, to William and Jane Herzog. She grew up in the Hilltowns with her six siblings and attended the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school district, which she graduated from in 1971.

She worked in Albany for 16 years as a filing clerk where she also trained staff in a new computer system, and later worked for Ron’s Service Center for 17 years. She last worked for the Guilderland Central School District as a custodian.

She met her future husband, Christopher Morey, at the former Hilltown restaurant Oliver’s.

“I liked her a lot,” said Mr. Morey, of first meeting her. They were married in 1972.

The two lived in Albany for a short period of time, then Guilderland, Voorheesville, and Thompson’s Lake, before finally settling down on Warners Lake Road in Berne.

“And there we stayed,” said Mr. Morey. The two were married for 45 years, living by the lake.

“We worked side-by-side on any project,” said Mr. Morey, of their relationship. “Shoulder to shoulder.”

Their home on Warners Lake Road was not far from Mrs. Morey’s parents’ home, as well as her cousins’ home. Her stepson, Bill Morey, described their house as being full of visiting family members. He would play ball with an uncle, or Mrs. Morey would take in a sibling or cousin who needed a place to stay.

“She was the matriarch of the family,” said Mr. Morey. He explained that his wife’s mother moved to Florida years ago, and Mrs. Morey stepped in to care for her family. She offered guidance when needed, as well as shelter. All but two of her siblings stayed in her home at one point.

“She was the principal caregiver of the family,” said Mr. Morey.

Mrs. Morey preferred to stay on the Hill, tending to her garden, caring for her family, and looking after her pets.

“She was probably the toughest — yet kindest — person I’ve ever known,” said her stepson.

He explained that anyone who met her liked her, but she was not afraid to bluntly share what she was thinking.

Her husband said it was she who kept him grounded over the years.

“She never let me make a mistake,” he said. “She was my best friend...I married my best friend.”

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Deborah Morey is survived by her husband, Christopher Morey; her stepson, Bill Morey; her siblings, Steven Herzog, Martin Herzog, Kathy Anderson, Timothy Herzog, Lawrence Herzog, and Kim Herzog; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Helderberg Lutheran Church at 1732 Helderberg Trail on July 29 at noon. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Post Office Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123; or to the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital, 315 S. Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208.

— H. Rose Schneider


Updated on July 21, 2017: The time of the memorial service was added.

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