Deborah "Lily" Weldin Hufnell

Deborah “Lily” Weldin Hufnell, age 69, originally of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 20, 2025 in Georgetown, South Carolina.

Born 1955 in Wilmington, Delaware, Deborah was the daughter of the late Paul Weldin, Jr. and the late Onalee Hope Weldin (née Tuttle).

After graduating from Unionville High School, Deborah continued her higher education at the Brandywine School of Nursing.

Deborah worked as a registered nurse in various clinical and administrative capacities before finding her true passion for hospice. She spent decades caring and advocating for her patients in their final moments, going above and beyond to ensure that her patients and their families felt comfort and compassion in the most difficult of times.  

Her caring and compassionate nature was not limited to humans. Deborah found tremendous joy in animals. She often recounted fondly the many dogs, cats, and even a goose, adopted and loved by her family during childhood that they would find abandoned on their property in Kennett Square. She loved her own dogs as if they were her children and enjoyed spoiling them and her children’s pets with toys, treats, and love. She volunteered her time at the Saint Frances Animal Center in Georgetown, South Carolina in the Shy Dog Program where she helped socialize rescued dogs that needed extra attention so that they could find their forever homes.

Deborah was an intelligent and kind woman with a fantastic sense of humor. Her razor-sharp wit coupled with her “gift of the gab” evoked laughter and made it an absolute joy to be in her company.

Deborah is survived by her children, Tim Hufnell and Meghan Hufnell; her long-time partner, Bill Schmelzer; step-daughter, Monique Dyton (Schmelzer); sister, Melanie Mandroc (Tim); nephew, Jason Mandroc (Jessica); as well as many friends.

You are invited to visit with Deborah’s family and friends on Friday, February 7, 2025 from 10:00AM to 11:00AM at Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 W. State Street, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. A Memorial Service will begin at 11:00AM. Interment will be private.

To honor Deborah’s love of animals, her family asks that in lieu of flowers to please consider a donation to the Saint Frances Animal Center, 125 N. Ridge Street, Georgetown, SC, 29440.

Arrangements by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. 

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