Debra Lynn Zilla
Debra Lynn Zilla, 64, of New Castle, went to be with the Lord Wednesday morning at Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford after a short illness.
Born on June 21, 1952, in Butler, she was a daughter of William N. and Cordella Mae Simpson Anderson. She was preceded in death by her mother in 1998 and a brother, William G. Anderson in 1970.
Debra was married to her husband of 40 years, Dennis Zilla, on Sept. 5, 1975.
A 1970 graduate of Mars High School, Debra then attended Penn State University and earned an associate degree in business at New Kensington Commercial School.
Debbie had the spiritual gift of administration which she used not only in former employment with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Pennsylvania Engineering and Pine Valley Bible Camp, but also in various volunteer capacities in church and school settings. She had a love for music and sang and played piano and organ. She understood and was deeply touched by the messages of country gospel and contemporary Christian rock music. She was a generous encourager to her family, friends and strangers and had a special love for her son, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephew. A creative and talented crafter and baker, she also had interests in health, physical fitness and nutrition. She enjoyed mystery stories, flower gardening, travel and “tall ships.”
In addition to her father of Mars, and her husband, she is survived by one son, Andrew D. Zilla of New Castle; four brothers, Kenneth Todd Anderson of China, Douglas (Colleen) Anderson, of Phoenix, Ariz., Mark Anderson and Timothy Anderson, both of Mars; one sister, Tamara (John Paul) Jones of Callery; a former sister-in-law, Jackie Anderson; seven nieces and nephews, Kendall, Steven, William, Laura, Amy, Jordan and Alex; and two great-nieces, Lily and Sophia and one great-nephew, Benjamin.
ZILLA — Visitation for Debra Lynn Zilla, who died Wednesday, July 27, 2016, will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday and 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle.A funeral service will be held Monday immediately following visitation at 11 a.m. with Rev. Paul Zywan officiating.Burial will be in Twin Valley Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Debra's name to 700 Club's Operation Blessing International, 977 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA, 23463; K-LOVE Radio Station, P.O. Box 2098, Omaha, NE, 68103; or City Rescue Mission, 319 S. Croton Ave., New Castle, PA, 16101.Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.cunninghamfh.com.
