BURLINGTON, Mass. – Debra L. (Byrnes) Holden, 52, of West Poland, and a former Franklin, Mass., resident, died Friday, Sept. 26, at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass., after a long illness. She was the wife of Wheaton A. “Humphrey” Holden Jr.

She was born in Needham, Mass., Aug. 12, 1956, a daughter of Frederick Byrnes of Needham and Virginia “Ginny” (Steeves) McLaughlin of Attleboro, formerly of Franklin. She was raised and educated in Franklin and was a graduate of Franklin High School, Class of 1974.

She had been employed as an executive secretary for Pottle Works in Auburn. She formerly worked as a supervisor at Garelick Farms plant in Franklin. She recently obtained her master’s degree in business administration from Husson College in Portland.

She was an avid Harley-Davidson motorcyclist and enjoyed camping at Spaulding Lake in Oakfield and trips to Colorado. She also loved to read, especially Stephen King novels, and loved all animals, especially, her pet dog, George.

Surviving in addition to her husband and parents is a son, Ethan M. Chaffin of Lewiston; two brothers, James F. Byrnes and his wife, Judy, of Uxbridge and Sean T. and his wife, Joyel, of Attleboro; a sister, Wendy J. McCarthy and her husband, John, of Gibsonia, Pa.; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and her beloved faithful dog, George.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Steven E. Byrnes in 1979 and Robin G. Kegley in 2004.