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PORT CHESTER, N.Y. - J. Deborah McAuliffe, a former Port Chester teacher, died Nov. 17 at White Plains Hospital with her family at her side, after an 11-year battle with breast cancer. She was 55.
A former laboratory technologist, she began a second career as a science teacher at Port Chester High School amidst her treatment.
Born Sept. 22, 1956 in Bronxville, she was the daughter of former New York State Supreme Court Justice W. Denis and Joan Donovan. McAuliffe worked as a technologist at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla before returning to Manhattanville College to pursue a master's degree in teaching.
After persevering to finish her degree, she started teaching biology at Port Chester High School. A former student's parent, Sharla Kaufman, said in a condolence that McAuliffe "was an excellent science teacher, but more importantly she taught her students life lessons: how to be strong in the face of adversity, how to be generous and caring to one another, and never give up."
A resident of Harrison, McAuliffe's fondest memories were vacationing with her family on Long Beach Island in New Jersey.
Visiting hours were held on Sunday at Coxe and Graziano Funeral Home in Mamaroneck. A funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday at St. Gregory the Great, followed by a private committal.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to White Plains Hospital, 5F Nurse's Station, 41 East Post Road, White Plains, NY 10601.
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