Deborah "Shocky" Greenberg

Dec 17, 1957 -

May 5, 2021

Born in Cheyenne and raised in Chicago, Deborah "Shocky" Greenberg, passed away on May 5, 2021, of fallopian tube cancer. Even in the wake of her illness, Shocky lived life to the fullest and took advantage of every opportunity and experience presented to her. She was a warrior her whole life, fighting for the environment, social justice, her family and herself. Shocky spent the last weeks of her life surrounded by her loving husband, Leonard, and sons, Zack and Josh, who were the center of her universe. She shared adventures, stories, laughs and memories with her sisters and friends until the very end of her journey.

Shocky earned her undergraduate degree in Conservation of Natural Resources from UC Berkeley and her law degree from Northeastern School of Law. She used her vast and diverse skills and expertise in a host of arenas, including the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the House Research Agency in Juneau and the Alaska Legislature. She helped establish a set net operation in Yakutat, was an advocate for solar energy and climate change issues and traveled extensively through the back country of Alaska.

She married Leonard Steinberg in 1997, who was her devoted partner until her last breath. She and Leonard raised their boys, Zack and Josh, in Anchorage and introduced them to a range of activities and adventures in Alaska to instill in them an appreciation for the outdoors. Her sons quickly surpassed both parents in their skills with every activity. As a family, they went skiing and biking throughout many regions of the U.S. They traveled across the globe to such places as Costa Rica, the Galapagos, Norway, Sweden and many European countries. Often their favorite place was to be at home overlooking the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge.

Although Shocky battled cancer for more than three years, she never let it define her life. Indeed, many of her most treasured days and outings came during her illness: snow machining with Josh, skiing the flats with Zack and traveling with Leonard. Although Shocky will be sorely missed by her family and friends, her life will always remain an enduring inspiration to all who were blessed to have known her. She is survived by her husband, Leonard; two sons, Zack and Josh; three sisters, Rachael, Sharon and Rebecca; and many close loved ones.