**In Loving Memory of Delilah “DeeDee” Joan Tongue (Stilwell)**
**May 21, 1955 - April 20, 2025**
Delilah Joan Tongue (Stilwell), lovingly known as DeeDee, went peacefully to be with the Lord at her home in Canton, Georgia, on April 20, 2025, at the age of 69, after a courageous four-year battle with cancer. Surrounded by her beloved husband, sons, and grandchildren, DeeDee departed this world with grace, faith, love, and a song in her heart.
Born on May 21, 1955, in the Town of Union, New York, DeeDee was the daughter of the late Alice Diana All Robbins and Abdo Isper Elias. A proud graduate of McGraw High School (Class of 1973) and SUNY Morrisville (Class of 1975), it was during her college years that she met her husband and lifelong partner, Ronald E. Tongue. Together, they built a life grounded in love, faith, and family for nearly five decades.
DeeDee is survived by her devoted husband of 49 years, Ronald E. Tongue; their sons: Ronald E. Tongue Jr. (Gina Gatti), Benjamin P. Tongue (Erin Risavi Tongue), and Alexander J. Tongue; and her seven cherished grandchildren: Eliot, Cody, Christy, Matthew, Samuel, Sebastian, and Adaline. She is also survived by her siblings on her mother’s side: Gloria Klein, Carol Wayman (David), Heidi Pitzker (Steve), Kathryn Robbins (Charles Adkins), and Diana Scott; and was predeceased by Lucinda Garrett. On her father’s side, she is survived by Charles Elias (Yvonne), Thomas Elias (Theresa), Elias Elias (Denise), and Tackla Voigt (David). Her beloved border collie rescue, Jasper, she so dearly loved, also remains part of the family.
DeeDee dedicated 35 years to serving the community through her work at McGraw Central School. Her warmth and infectious smile left a lasting impression on students and colleagues alike. After retirement, she continued to pour herself into the things that brought her joy-her faith, her family, and her many passions.
Raised on a dairy farm near McGraw, NY, DeeDee was a lifelong horse lover and owner until 2018. A faithful member of McGrawville Baptist Church for 35 years and well known around the Cortland area for her beautiful singing voice, she sang in the choir and then helped bring contemporary worship music to the congregation through Sunday Night Alive-a ministry she and Ron began together. She was the soprano voice in The GraceNotes, a southern gospel quartet that she and Ron did for several years with their dear friends David and Joan Plew. After moving to Georgia, she became an active member of Canton First Baptist Church.
Her deep faith in Jesus Christ guided her life and uplifted those around her. In the summer months, she tended to her flowers, fruit trees, and vegetable gardens. In the fall, she harvested and canned with love-sharing homemade jams and jellies with friends and family throughout the year. She had a gift for making every space feel like home.
A celebration of DeeDee’s life will take place on **August 2, 2025**, at **Grace Christian Fellowship**, 1250 Fisher Avenue, Cortland, New York 13045.
Visitation begins at **11:30 AM**, with a service at **1:00 PM**.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in DeeDee’s memory to either:
**St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate/
or
**Project Hope For The Children https://projecthopeforthechildren.org/support/
DeeDee’s life was a beautiful testament to love, strength, and grace. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were blessed to know her.
