Deborah left her family and friends on November 20, 2019 and joined Christ in Heaven. She
went peacefully according to her wishes after a long and arduous battle with recurrent breast
cancer. She is survived by her two sons, Andrew and Mark, and husband Dr. Roger Badwal.
She is also leaves behind a sister Rebecca Mallow (D. Mallow) of Menomonie Falls, WI and
brothers Steve Redford of Sioux Falls, SD and and Christopher Redford of Bremmerton WA,
and her parents Dr. Elmer Redford and his wife Marjorie of Fort Atkinson WI. She is also
survived by her father and mother in-law, Ranjit and Kuldip Badwal, brother and sister-in-law
Rupi and Jiti Badwal of Mississauga, Ontario Canada with whom she was particularly close.
She graduated from Marquette University School of Hygiene with her B.Sc. with her life long
best friend Suzanne Baltus (Ron Baltus) of Oconomowoc, WI. Then she obtained her dental
degree (DDS) from the University of Iowa. She chose to pursue additional training in Pediatric Dentistry coupled with a Ph.D. In between she achieved her certificate in Genetics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Her Ph.D was in molecular biology and funded by NIH under the Dental Scientist Award focused on Osteogenesis Imperfecta.
She was a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and was a member of the
following organizations; OKU (Phi Chi chapter) dental fraternity; Alpha Sigma Nu fraternity;
American Dental Association; Connecticut Dental Association; American Academy of Sports
Dentistry and American Cleft Palate Association.
Deborah was a full time faculty and Associate Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at the UCONN
School of Dental Medicine since 1989.
Deborah had multiple roles during her tenure with the School of Dental Medicine including course directorships for various pre-professional years; Dental Director of the Craniofacial Team at Connecticut Children’s Hospital since the early 2000’s. She was the Director at the Pediatric Dental Clinic at the Kane Street, West Hartford facility. She was extensively involved in the Special Smiles program of the Special Olympics of Connecticut. For many years she ran the UConn School of Dental Medicine Camp Courant Summer Camp Screening Initiative.
Deborah followed rules and never shied away from demanding evidence for altering protocols that were grounded in scientific evidence. For her, there was no real shortcuts when it came to teaching pre-doctoral or residents in training for Pediatric Dentistry. Her Genetics training made that educational component she imparted to the students and residents extra special.
Deborah’s passion for teaching and love for taking care of children was ever present and her driving motivation which sustained her during these last several years of battling her cancer. In October she had been able to attend a tribute ceremony for being awarded the Faculty Educator Award by the Alumni Foundation. Deborah’s devout belief in her Lutheran faith and Christ was an ever present and driving force in her day to day life. She had taught Sunday school at Christ The King Lutheran church for many, many years and left a legacy which will be remembered by many children.
Those who knew ‘Dr. Debbie’ admired her for her optimism, cheerfulness and tenacity. She was a beautiful soul, full of love and light.
In lieu of flowers donations in Deborah A. Redford-Badwal’s memory can be made to:
1. UCONN School of Dental Medicine, Student Scholarship Fund
The University of Connecticut Foundation Inc. 2390 Alumni Drive, Unit 3206.
Storrs, CT 06032
2. Christ the King Lutheran Church, 85 Mount Pleasant Road (at Tory Lane) Newtown,
CT 06470 || 203-426-6300. http://www.ctklutherannewtown.orgtown
3. Hartford Hospital Foundation - Breast Cancer, 860.972.2322;
Hartford Hospital, ATTN: Department of Philanthropy, 80 Seymour Street, P.O.
Box 5037, Hartford, CT 06102.
https://giving.hartfordhospital.org/tributegifts
4. American Breast Cancer Foundation
Comments