Debbie Prokop

Beloved wife, mother, and grandma, Debbie Prokop lived a life of service and selfless dedication. Her loving soul was at the heart of our family and she will be greatly missed. Known for her wisdom and grace, Debbie was an inspiring leader. She had the remarkable ability to see through issues and create solutions. Her guidance was constantly sought by family members and friends on matters big and small. She shaped our lives and made us better human beings, helping us to grow and achieve our true potential.

Debbie was successful in her early business career and valued greatly by her employers. She worked at a high level providing executive administrative support for corporate leaders, holding positions at the Hillman Company in Pittsburgh, the Hershey Chocolate Co, and British Aerospace Corp, among others.

When babies came along Debbie turned her attention fully to the raising of two beautiful daughters—Jenna Lyn and Melissa Jo. Unfortunately Melissa was diagnosed with leukemia at age 5. Following Mel’s passing at age 6, Debbie held the family together with her courage and strength. In 1997 we were blessed with the arrival of daughter Emily Rose. Debbie always said that she brought Paul another baby to help heal his heart, and a sister for Jenna so she would never be alone in life. More recently Jenna and her husband John blessed us with two beautiful grandsons, Jack age three and James age one. Our hearts were full.

As a homemaker Debbie’s skills were unparalleled. Everything she touched was done with beauty and thoughtful attention to detail.

We lived in multiple locations around the country with Paul’s early career moves and Debbie was masterful at living space and landscape design. She had a great eye for beauty, form, and function—and our homes and gardens showed the benefits. One of Debbie’s greatest joys was working in the garden, with a well-thumbed Western Gardens book at her side.

Debbie enjoyed the great beauty of nature, and we have wonderful memories of our vacations in Santa Cruz and Sea Ranch in CA, as well as on Sanibel Island in Florida, Sedona in AZ, and Cape May in NJ. She loved hiking and cross country skiing with Paul in the Laurel Highlands of Western PA, and they shared an appreciation for live music. Her tastes ranged from Alison Krauss to the Rolling Stones.

Debbie’s spirit permeates all aspects of our lives and our souls feel the power of her presence. She was the most wonderful wife and life partner for Paul and his true soulmate. With Debbie at his side Paul was complete.

We all feel that our time together was sacred and she truly graced us with her presence.

Debora Kay D’Amore was born on August 2nd, 1951 in Grove City, PA. Her parents were Dona M. and John B. D’Amore. She grew up in Butler County, Western PA and was a 1969 graduate of Butler High School. She later attended the Bradford School of Business in Pittsburgh, graduating from the Secretarial Program. She held executive administrative positions with a number of industrial and financial firms in the Pittsburgh area, including the Hillman Company.

One evening in the spring of 1980, Debbie met the young Paul Prokop at the Decade Lounge—a famous bar and musical venue near the University of Pittsburgh campus in Oakland, PA. He proposed not long after and they were married on January 31, 1981. They were to spend over 44 years together, living the grand adventures and dreams that life brought them. Their time together was precious.

Debbie was predeceased by her parents Dona and John D’Amore and her daughter Melissa Jo Prokop. She is survived by her sister Cynthia D’Amore and brother John D’Amore (Denise). She is also survived by husband Paul J. Prokop, daughters Jenna Lyn Morgan (John), Emily Rose Prokop, and grandsons Jack Lathrop and James Lawrence Morgan.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Debbie’s memory to the Yolo Crisis Nursery www.yolocrisisnursery.org