Deborah E. McVay-Wartchow was born on January 24, 1955, in Racine, Wisconsin.

At the age of 18, she relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin before the birth of her first child. Deborah pursued her higher education at Milwaukee Area Technical College, graduating in 1990. She was employed by Designer’s Workroom for over a decade. She also did freelance work for the Milwaukee Fire Department, installing fire retardant material, and Better Homes and Gardens window treatments and furniture covers. Deborah even started her own business, Luv II Sew. Some of Deborah’s favorite treats were Mountain Dew and double fudge moose tracks ice cream.

Deborah E. McVay-Wartchow departed this life on November 29, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her: mother, Gloria Jean (Larkin) Sommerfeld; father, Robert Wartchow; her aunt and uncle, and nephews, Jimmy Macmackiel and Dedric Vaughns.

She leaves to cherish her memory: 5 children, Tawana Wartchow, Shana Waite, Chemika Wartchow, Rena Cannon, and Glenn Cannon; sister, Hazel Lanphear; brother, Lyle Tucker;
22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and dogs, Little Bit, Peanut, and Sophie.

Visitation will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 7001 West Brown Deer Road, Brown Deer, Wisconsin, on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. Funeral Service at 1:00 PM.