Deborah L. (Cantrell) Hesselberth, 72, passed away on Friday, 20 January 2023 after a hard battle with pneumonia at Blount Memorial Hospital, Maryville, Tennessee.  She is survived by her loving son Michael Hesselberth, her sister Stephanie (Michael) Pace, nephew and family, and cousins.  She lived in Rockford, Illinois for most of her life and graduated from West High School.  She enjoyed reading and writing poetry, and hoped someday to publish "Weeds in the Windowbox", a compilation based on her life experiences and observations.  She retired from the University of Illinois Extension Office, where she managed the 4-H Youth Program for Winnebago County, Illinois for several years.  She enjoyed meeting new people in the English as a Second Language program where she volunteered her time.  She lived in Sevierville and Maryville, Tennessee for the last six years.  She is predeceased by her parents, Bill and Sue Cantrell, her beloved Grandmothers Winnie Rowe and Bernice Cantrell, and her loving friend Steve Sulkanen.

No services are planned, in lieu of giving flowers the family asks that those who are able instead make a donation to your local Literacy Council.