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Deborah A. "Debbie" Weakland, 76, Altoona, passed away early Tuesday morning at UPMC Altoona after a brief illness. She was born in Ottawa, Canada.
Debbie married Joseph F. Weakland on June 19, 1971, in Ottawa.
She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years; a son, Joseph F. Weakland; three grandchildren: Preston Weakland and his mother, Tricia Reed, Dylan Weakland and Aryana Weakland; a sister, Patricia Cowan (Jack); a brother-in-law, John Weakland (Mary); and a sister-in-law, Joyce Weakland.
Debbie was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Faber Weakland.
She was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia, Canada. In 1989, Debbie earned her master's degree in library science from Clarion University.
On Feb. 14, 1997, Debbie became a United States citizen.
Debbie began her career as an elementary school teacher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School. She then started at the Altoona Area Public Library as the Head of Adult Circulation in 1984. Debbie was the coordinator of the Blair County Library System and the district consultant for Blair, Bedford and Huntingdon counties before becoming the executive director in 1998, a position she held until her retirement in 2011.
She was a longtime member of the Pennsylvania Library Association and chaired committees such as the Awards Committee, Evaluation Committee and Scholarship Committee.
Debbie had been a Corvette enthusiast and loved her winters in Florida. She was an avid reader, a fabulously talented storyteller and was a member of the Allegheny Storytellers.
A memorial service will be scheduled at the convenience of the family at a later date.
Arrangements are by The Stevens Mortuary Inc., 1421 Eighth Ave., Altoona.
Interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery.
The family requests memorial contributions in Debbie's name be made to Altoona Area Public Library, 1600 Fifth Ave., Altoona, PA 16602.
Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook page.