This was most certainly not on my BINGO card for 2026!!

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Deborah A. (Ruvo) Spinelli, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Deborah, affectionately known as Debbie, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026, with her daughters by her side, after a brief illness.

Born August 11, 1956, in Trenton, NJ, Debbie was the eldest daughter of the late Julia Ruvo and Donald Tedeschi. Debbie married Mario in 1982 and they were blessed with twin daughters, Tina (Michael) Olszewski of Rockfall and Trisha Spinelli of Bozrah, who brought immense joy to her life. Despite their separation, she and Mario remained friends until her passing. Her legacy continues through her five cherished grandchildren: Madeleine, Audrey, Julia, Olivia, and Jacob.

Debbie shared a close-knit relationship with her family. She was the older sister to her devoted sister, Donna Crowe (Bill Bryant), who survives her, and her beloved baby brother Louis, who predeceased her, and her sister-in-law, Jetter.. Debbie also leaves behind her nieces and nephews in New Jersey: Richard (Melissa), Rachel (Jeff), Rosalie (Jordan), Jasinna (Isaac), Louis Jr (Camille) and Samantha, along with great nephews Dominic, Julian, James, Jeffrey, Luca, Lorenzo and great nieces Addison, Alexia and Catarina.

Debbie grew up in Trenton, NJ, and graduated from Burlington City High School. She spent 20 years as the Department Manager of Fabric & Crafts at Walmart until her retirement in 2022. Her passion for crafting and creativity was boundless, with paper crafting being her most recent favorite. She loved her New York Yankees, Philadelphia Eagles, Michael Jackson, Halloween and "going down the shore". Jersey will always be home. When her girls were younger, Debbie could be found running Girl Scouts or on the sideline of the soccer field with her cowbell, cheering her girls on. Once she became a grandmother, she delighted in making decorations for her grandchildren's birthday parties, each creation a testament to her love and thoughtfulness and attending their sporting or Scouting events.

A service to honor Debbie's life will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Biega's Funeral Home, located at 3 Silver St, Middletown, CT 06457. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM. Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate the life of a woman who touched so many with her kindness and warmth.  Burial will be held at the family cemetery in New Jersey.  Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Middlefield Fire Department Co., c/o Middlesex County Community Foundation, 211 South Main St., Middletown, CT 06457.  To share memories or express condolences online, please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.