Deborah Anne “Deb” Hill Mather

by Contributor | September 27, 2025 9:06 am

OSWEGO – Deborah Anne “Deb” Hill Mather, 70, of Burlington, NC passed away at her residence in the early morning hours on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Deb was born on June 6th 1955 at JBSA Air Force base in San Antonio. She was the first of four children to her late father David Hill and mother Barbara Hill (now Allen), who survives.

She was the wife of Timothy Mather, who was the love of her life. They shared 26 wonderful years together.  Her early years were spent on several military bases, until the Hill family settled back home in upstate New York. Some of her favorite memories of her youth were Sunday drives with her parents, and fishing in Irondenquoit Bay in the little boat her father had.

Deb was a mature and independent young woman. She finished high school, helped take care of her siblings, worked, and still made time to experience all the things a young person of the time should.  Her early twenties were spent working and traveling around following popular bands of the time. Led Zeppelin, The Who and The New York Dolls were some of her favorites.  In 1979 her son Mathew was born on June 6th, her 24th birthday, with her then husband Robert Rice. Deb spent her late twenties and thirties as a nurse, vet technician, and administrative assistant all while caring for her son. Deb decided to return to school late in life and began her path at SUNY in Oswego, NY, she eventually transferred to Syracuse University and completed her Masters in Social work.

She worked as a Social Worker LMSW at St. Josephs Hospital, and the VA Hospital in Syracuse, NY. She felt a need to work with the aged population. Deb helped them get assistance with day to day needs, and late stages of life transitions.

In 1998 she met her soulmate and partner in crime, Timothy Mather. They married on September 4, 1999 and were inseparable. Deb and Tim shared an amazing bond, and loved each other deeply. They had a shared appreciation of meditation and created/led a meditation group at Oswego Hospital. After a three year detour in Colorado, Deb and Tim relocated to their forever home in Burlington, NC with their son Mathew.

The house was something Deb had always dreamed of, and similar to a drawing she remembered as a child. Deb was filled with love and compassion for all people and actively practiced loving kindness meditation. She was a caring and nurturing woman. If she was in your corner, you had a force like no other fighting for you. Deb suffered from a neurological/muscular degenerative disease her entire life. She never once let her disability stop her and was a big proponent for the rights of disabled people in her community. Deb was passionate about music, and it was always a big part of her life. She had amazing stories of her adventures, concerts and experiences.

She loved fast cars, and secretly always wanted to be a race car driver. Nature was a big part of her life. She absolutely loved flowers, and the bees that they attracted. Deb was always a geek at heart and absolutely loved sci-fi movies and books. Star Wars and Marvel movies were on the TV all the time, if she wasn’t reading a Stephen King or Warhammer book. Deb was a hip lady who lived through some amazing decades. She had wild and hilarious stories about them. She was a powerful and amazing woman who was loved deeply by many and will be missed greatly.  In addition to her husband and mother, survivors include a son, Mathew “Bugsy” Rice (Melanie); grandson, Dylan Rice; stepfather, Raymond Allen; two sisters, Kimberly lasher (Bob) and Valerie Painter (Bart); brother David Hill (Gina); and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday September 26, 2025 6 to 8pm at Rich and Thompson Funeral Home, Graham, NC.

There will be also be a celebration of life on Thursday, October 2 from 4 to 6 pm at Sugar and Scanlon funeral home in Oswego NY.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/obituaries/funeral-homes/sugar-and-sugar-scanlon-funeral-homes/deborah-anne-deb-hill-mather/

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