Debbie L. H. Resvick passed away on Saturday, April 4, in Taylorville, IL. Born in Taylorville on February 11, 1955, she was the daughter of Eleanor (Lee) Hester and Frank Hester. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in the Teaching of Latin, with high distinction, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, she completed a master’s degree in Classics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she met her husband, Robert. After raising their two daughters in Mason, OH and then in Clinton, NJ, Debbie returned to work as a Latin teacher at Basking Ridge High School and William Annin Middle School, where she also offered extracurricular courses in Ancient Greek.
Debbie was known for her fierce dry wit, her lovingly maintained flower beds and vegetable gardens, her delight in cute animals and festive GIFs, and her desire to see the world. She traveled widely in Europe and visited all 50 states. Some of her recent trips of note include visits to her daughters in Texas and Ohio, a trip with a dear friend to Hawaii, a trip to Branson, MO with her best friend since childhood, a trip to Rome and Pompeii with her daughter Jessica, and a solo trip around Türkiye. Her wishes were to have her ashes scattered in Illinois, Wisconsin, and around the world on her daughters’ travels. She awaits, presumably with glee, posthumous travel to Ireland, Germany, Türkiye, Malaysia, and California.
Debbie is preceded in death by her husband Robert, who passed away on April 27, 1998. She is survived by her daughters Jennifer Whittaker (Jason) and Jessica Resvick (Danny Sullivan), her grandchildren Jacob and Juliana, and her beloved cat Mia.
The family wishes to express their thanks to the health care providers at Springfield Memorial Hospital and Taylorville Skilled Nursing and Rehab for taking excellent care of Debbie in her final months.
A memorial service will be held at McClure Funeral Home in Taylorville at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Inurnment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the University of Illinois Classics Department, to support travel to Greece for students of Hellenic Studies (please specify "In memory of Debbie Resvick" and include fund #339420). McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.
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