Debra J. Gagne Obituary (1955 - 2019)

Debra Jean Gagne 1955 - 2019 Winslow-Debby J. Gagne passed away peacefully on February 8th, 2019 at her home in Winslow surrounded by family after a year-long battle with ovarian cancer. Debby was born in Waterville on August 16, 1955, the daughter of Raymond ("John") and Ruth (Mathieu) Bourque. She attended Mount Merici school as a child and graduated from Waterville Senior High School in 1973. Debby began working at Seton Hospital and then Colby College in Waterville in her early 20s and it was during this time she met her husband, Roger G. Gagne, of Winslow. They were married in 1978 and over the course of 40 years of marriage they were blessed with two daughters, Katie and Shelley, two granddaughters, Madison and Taylor, and always enjoyed a tight-knit family culture with most family members living in the Central Maine area. One of Debby's greatest joys in life was her girls - in fact, she decided to leave the workforce for 12 years to focus on raising them and always placed their well-being and happiness before her own. She was incredibly committed to her children. She attended every sporting and life event, made sure a warm meal was on the table every night and ensured that the girls were able to enjoy each and every day, including planning many memorable family trips and adventures. She always supported and celebrated their academic and personal pursuits and achievements. After taking some time at home to raise the girls, Deb returned to work at Waterville Senior High School for 14 years in an administrative role. She then worked at the Central Maine Morning Sentinel and the Law Firm of Butler Whittier before her retirement in 2016. In her retirement she dove head first into her role as a grandmother, spending time in Massachusetts for newborn feedings, birthday parties and trips to the playground. Debby was an only child who had an exceptionally close relationship with her parents, caring for them throughout their lives and into their elderly years. She was always up for a Dunkin' Donuts coffee with her mother, Ruth, a game of gin rummy, baking and cooking, and taking day trips to the Maine Coast where they enjoyed shopping and eating lobster rolls. Above and beyond her unwavering commitment to family, Debby was an avid New England sports fan, always rooting on the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins and especially the Patriots. Even in the throes of her illness she was insistent on treating her family to an outing at Gillette Stadium this past fall where we watched the Patriots defeat the Miami Dolphins. She was also an animal lover, doting on her dog Maggie and her children's dogs Payson and Guinness. She is survived by her mother Ruth, husband Roger, daughter Katie and son-in-law Brad Callow, daughter Shelley and son-in-law John Glidden, granddaughters Madison and Taylor Callow, cousin Cindy Hapworth, sisters and brothers-in-law Sandra and Earl Joler and Tom and Ruth Gagne and their children, as well as other relatives and cousins from the Bourque family. She was predeceased by her father, Raymond Bourque, who passed in June 2017. We wish to express our sincere thanks to the teams at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, Brigham & Women's Hospital, MaineGeneral Medical Center and MaineGeneral Hospice, particularly Norma Wilson and Dawn Lorom, for their compassionate care. We also would like to thank the many family members, friends, work colleagues and community members who sent warm meals, flowers and thoughtful wishes. Debby was truly a fighter in the last year, right up to her last day. She will be forever missed but will live on in the hearts and traditions of her friends and family. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, 26 Monument Street in Winslow at 11 AM on Saturday, February 16th, followed by a reception to celebrate her life. A family burial will take place at a later date in St. Francis Cemetery, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed and condolences and memories shared at www.gallantfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Animal Refuge League of Portland (https://arlgp.org/make-a-gift/donate/) or MaineGeneral Hospice (https://give.mainegeneral.org/hospice) in memory of her name.