GRAY – Deborah “Deb” White Preble, 51, our wife, mom, daughter and friend, went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 29, at home surrounded by her family and dear friends four years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She put up a gallant fight, never once complaining of this cruel disease that was slowly taking her life. Deb was our strength through it all, never allowing us to show sadness or sorrow for her as she fought so hard to live. In the worst of times when greeted and asked, “How are you doing, Deb?” she would answer with, “Good” and a smile on her face. We all have such to learn from her strength and courage through the last four years while battling the cancer.

She was born in Portland, on Sept. 27, 1953, to Bob and Bertha Aikens White. She grew up on Pride Street in Westbrook, graduating from Westbrook High School in 1971. Using her business training acquired in high school, she went to work at New Hampshire Insurance Co. after graduation. She moved and settled in Gray in the early ’70s, and went to work at Pineland Hospital as an aide. Figuring out quite early on that this was definitely not her forte, she set higher sights for her life, and began studying for her employment test with the U.S. Post Office. She passed her test easily, and was hired as a temp at the Portland Post Office. For the next 26 years she worked in several offices – Westbrook, Gray, Raymond, and settling into the Casco Post Office, from which she retired this past February.

Deb was so loved by all of her postal patrons. She always went the extra mile to be sure each and every one of their needs were taken care of. A dedicated employee, she never knew how to say no when anything extra was asked of her. Deb would be there.

During the ice storm of 1998, when we all thought that the post office did not have to be open that morning, Deb made Jeffrey, her husband, drive her to her treasured office, through downed trees and power lines, to make sure that the doors were open for business. More than once on Christmas Eve, after putting the boys to bed, she’d be back at the post office making sure those last-minute packages and cards got out. It was just the dedicated person she was to her job and customers.

Shortly after moving to Gray, she met her future husband, Jeffrey Preble. Sensing the ultimate challenge presented the ultimate reward, Jeffrey spent weeks and months convincing Deb to go on that first date. Happily, they hit it off and were married on Jan 20, 1984. Together she and Jeffrey raised two sons, Jake and Jon, who were the focal point of Deb’s life. The sun rose and set on those two boys. Deb’s life revolved around them. She did an outstanding job of raising Jake and Jon (though criticized now and again by her friends for spoiling them. . . just a little!) They both have made her so proud in their school work, both straight-A students. In their kind nature and thoughtful ways, they cared for their mother through her illness with such tenderness and love. Once, when commended on what a great job they were doing in caring for her and how proud we were of them, Jon said, “We are only caring for her like she did for us.”

Besides managing a chaotic and fun household, Deb was also involved in breeding and showing her basenji dog, Merry Muffin. She was co-founder and secretary of The Mainely Basenji Club. When the boys came along, and time was stretched thin, she no longer showed her dogs but continued to love and enjoy them. Not a day went by that you wouldn’t see Deb heading out for a dog walk with her beloved pets. Along with the dogs, she also loved her cats, saying more times than once that when she got old she’d be known as the crazy lady with all the cats!

She is survived by her beloved husband of 21 years, Jeffrey W. Preble, of Gray; two sons, Jake and Jon; two dogs, Breezy and Buster; and cats, Crazy, Tiger, Pluto and Milky Way.

She is also survived by her dad, Robert White, and stepmother, Mary, of Westbrook; a sister, Delphine Palmer of Falmouth; a brother, Bob White and his wife, Diane, of Gorham; and four stepsisters. She will be sadly missed by her aunt, Barbara White; her cousins, nieces and nephews; many good friends she acquired over the years; and most of all by her best friend, Gail MacLean.

She was predeceased by her mother, Bertha White, in 1990.

All of us, friends and family, are amazed at the blessing we have been given to have Deb in our lives. We would have loved to have more time with her, but we were just so fortunate to have her at all.

Her family wishes to express its appreciation to the Center for Cancer Medicine in Scarborough, Dr. Thomas Ervin and staff, and her nurses from Home Health Care, not only for their excellent medical care and help in Deb’s fight with her cancer, but also for their kindness and the love they always gave to Deb.