Deborah Clinton Sesow, 86, of Lincoln, NE passed away September 9, 2024. Born in Peekskill, NY to Charles and Marian (Staples) Clinton, Deb led an active life as an influential educator and devoted family member.
After earning her Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Cortland and Master’s degree from UNL, Deb worked in education for over 30 years. Her career spanned several states, including Nebraska, Hawaii, New York and Vermont. She served as a special education teacher and administrator at Lincoln Public Schools for more than 25 years, impacting the lives of many students with developmental disabilities. Deb was also instrumental in LPS’s mainstreaming programs, integrating students with special needs into general education classrooms for part of the school day.
Deb married Bill Sesow in 1961 and celebrated over 52 years of marriage before Bill’s passing in 2013. Deb and Bill were active in their children’s activities and enjoyed spending time with their many friends over the years. They loved hosting social gatherings, including pool parties, Thanksgiving reunions (with many late-night games of Blackjack), Wild and Wooly golf outings, Nebraska Football parties and high school tailgates.
After retiring in the late 1990s, Deb continued to live a life full of friends, family and new experiences. She enjoyed traveling overseas to places like China, Japan, Morocco and Russia. Deb and Bill eventually left Lincoln and moved to the Heritage Highlands retirement community in Marana, Arizona. Deb was actively involved in the Heritage Highlands planning committees, immersed herself in Tucson-area cultural opportunities, and enjoyed outdoor activities like hiking in the southern mountains and golfing. Deb and Bill also enjoyed frequent visits from family and friends – particularly when they wanted to escape the cold of winter. Though she will always be a Nebraska Cornhusker at heart, Deb adopted the University of Arizona as her second-favorite college sports team. After Bill’s passing in 2013, Deb returned to Lincoln to reconnect with friends and be closer to grandchildren.
In 2019, Deb settled in at the Landing in south Lincoln, where she lived a well-rounded, fulfilling life up until the end. Deb was a lifelong learner and loved gaining knowledge from guest speakers at the Landing and OLLI classes at UNL. She was highly involved in social activities like drum class and Mah Jongg, and she was also a founding member of the “Wine Wednesday” club. Deb also enjoyed attending a wide variety of theater productions – anything from Broadway musicals at the Lied to melodramas at the Landing.
With a witty sense of humor and endearing support for her loved ones, Deb was quick to make and keep friends from all stages of her life. When she couldn’t physically be with her loved ones, she would often make a phone call or send a “good luck” text, ending with her signature emojis: red heart and grandma. When she did gather with loved ones, there was always laughter, sometimes drinks, and often a Husker game playing in the background. On one of Deb’s last days, family members sat by her side as the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game played on the TV. In true Deb Sesow fashion, she woke up at halftime and asked, “What’s the score?” Of course, Deb’s family was delighted to tell her that the Huskers were winning.
Survived by: sons, Clint (Jana) Sesow, Lincoln; Matt (Dana Ellyn) Sesow, Washington DC; daughter, Julie (Doug) Knapp, Bloomington IN; grandchildren, Alana & Tatum Sesow, Madeline & Jacob Knapp; sister, Carolyn Clinton Chuatiuco, Solomons, MD; sisters-in-laws Bev Sesow, Prescott, AZ and Jo Sesow, Boston, MA; aunt to many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by: husband, Bill Sesow; father, Charles Clinton; mother Marian Staples Clinton; father-in-law, John Sesow; mother-in-law, Vinnie Sesow; sister-in-laws Edna Sesow, Cappy Smith, Tootie Coakley, and Carol Sesow; brother-in-laws, Loren, John, Jim, Tony and Peter Sesow; brother-in-laws, Al Smith and Bob Coakley.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools at www.FoundationForLPS.org. Friends and family will gather for a celebration of life in Lincoln at a date to be determined.
A page dedicated to the life and accomplishements of Deborah Clinton Sesow.