Belinda Renee DeFoor

Belinda Renee DeFoor, 68, of Harrisburg, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2024, at home surrounded by her family and friends after a courageous eight-year battle with breast cancer. Belinda was born in Toledo, Ohio on November 8, 1955. 

Belinda is survived and missed by her loving mother, Thelma (Manning) DeFoor; her siblings, Dwayne, Timothy, Denise, Richard Jr., of Harrisburg, and Clifford and sister-in-law Allison of Pottstown. Her memory lives on with her nieces Danielle, Ana, Addison, Ava, nephew Timothy, and beloved relatives. Belinda was predeceased by her father Richard Nelson DeFoor, Sr. 

After Belinda graduated from Susquehanna Township High School in 1973, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978 from Bennet College in Greensboro, North Carolina. She retired from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and the United States Air Force in 2015. She retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry in 2016. 

She loved her family, traveling, reading, serving her country, and shopping— especially shopping trips to King of Prussia Mall. Belinda was a member of the Bennet College Alumni Association, Harrisburg Chapter, and a former member of The Toledo Museum of Art and Harrisburg Art Association. 

Belinda is a veteran of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. During her thirty-one years of service to the United States, she earned numerous honors including the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, and Humanitarian Service Medal. She served honorably in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, 193 SPECIAL OPERATIONS MEDICAL GROUP, and the United States Air Force Reserves, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. 

Belinda’s MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL states “Master Sergeant Belinda R. DeFoor distinguished herself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States while assigned to 193 SPECIAL OPERATIONS MEDICAL GROUP from 5 September 1984 to 7 November 2015. During this period her endless capacity for self-determination, professionalism, and leadership were instrumental to her unit's success. She selflessly deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in 2003 and provided 24/7 support for eight physicians and a patient population of over 4,600 coalition personnel. While at Kirkuk she was recognized as a member of the "Kirkuk 7", and credited with acquiring information that ultimately led to the capture of Saddam Hussein. Her dedication to the nation and community was showcased in 2005 as she deployed to Al Udied Air Base, Qatar, and upon return home, she deployed for Hurricane Katrina rescue operations. Additionally, she served as the Wing's Drug Testing Program administrator and was responsible for the collection and submission of over 20,000 specimens. As a leader in the Wing's medical readiness support, she expertly managed over $800,000 in deployment medication and processed 1,080 service treatment records. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant DeFoor culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of her country and reflect great credit upon herself, the Air National Guard, and the United States Air Force.” 

A heartfelt thank you to her doctors, Dr. Amy Clark, MD, Deputy Director, 

Breast Cancer Clinical Trials and Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hematology-Oncology), and Dr. Goldie A. Kurtz, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology, both at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. And the incredible staff at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine/Perelman Cancer Center who always warmly greeted her on every visit with “Hello Miss DeFoor. How are you today?” before she checked in. Our family is grateful for your compassionate care. 

Special thank you to the entire Bayada Home Health Care team especially Greg Carter, her case manager nurse. Belinda’s family can’t thank you enough. 

Her legacy will carry on forever reminding us to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service, like Jesus Christ modeled for her and all of us. In place of flowers and remembrance of Belinda, the family asks that any memorial contributions be made in her memory to Vickie's Angel Foundation, 511 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, PA, 17070, or Susquehanna Township HS Alumni Association Memorial Gardens, P.O. Box 61474, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17106.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Burial will be at the family's convenience in a Military National Cemetery.