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Deborah Anne Scherkoske

Deborah Anne Scherkoske '88

Jul. 13, 1966-Feb. 18, 2021

Deborah Anne Scherkoske ’88 possessed a love of design and architecture that was evident in her home, her ­hobbies, and her work in preservation. She died on Feb. 18, 2021, in Camp Hill, Pa., at the age of 54.

Born on July 13, 1966, in Toledo, Ohio, she was the daughter of Kenneth and ­Sharon Napierala Scherkoske. Her father’s career as an academic required the family to move frequently; she spent portions of her childhood in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Arizona before settling in Buffalo, N.Y.

An English major at Hamilton, a published obituary described her as “academically serious yet popular with friends.” She enjoyed socializing and serving on several student committees. “From an early age she showed an eye for fashion and detail, and carried herself with poise and grace,” the obituary noted.

Scherkoske continued her studies at Cornell University, where she earned a master’s degree in historic preservation. Her career in architectural preservation and cultural conservation took her to Maryland and later Pennsylvania, where she worked in both the private and public sectors. She was revered by colleagues as the “infrastructure queen.” It was a source of pride that, due to her work, many architecturally and culturally important buildings still stand.

In her spare time, Scherkoske enjoyed home decorating, gardening, and family vacations in Maine. An excellent cook, she would spend hours preparing a newly discovered recipe. In recent years, she became a keen observer of politics, including advocacy for women’s reproductive rights and gender equality, the obituary said. She was delighted to see a woman elected as vice president.

“Friends and family will fondly remember Deb at her best: as a woman of taste, as an engaging conversationalist with a keen intellect and a sharp eye for human foibles. Deb loved to laugh and could be devastatingly funny,” her family recalled in the obituary.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Cope, a daughter, and two siblings.

Necrology Home

Note: Memorial biographies published prior to 2004 will not appear on this list.



Necrology Writer and Contact:
Christopher Wilkinson '68
Email: Chris.Wilkinson@mail.wvu.edu

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