DAVIE, FLA. — Debra (Debbie) Louise Chandler of Davie, Fla., passed away suddenly and unexpectedly Saturday morning, Aug. 21.
Debbie was born on Jan. 26, 1955, in Lewiston, the daughter of Milton (Joe) Sites and Janice Sites. She graduated from Lewiston High School and Miami Dade Community College and became a respiratory therapist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. There she met and married the love of her life — Barry. She was the loving wife and soul mate of Dr. Barry Chandler, and mother of Nathan, Trisha, Rachel, Dorrie, Joshua and Seth.
In 1983 they moved to Plantation, Fla., where they raised their family and generously gave back to their community. Once her children were grown, she started working with Rascals Wildlife Care Network, an animal rescue and rehabilitation organization helping injured and orphaned wild animals. At the time of her death she was the president of the organization. With her amazing caring and nurturing way, she never refused or turned away any animal, day or night, from emus, pigs and ponies to her special love — raccoons.
She served on the Airport Advisory Board and the Open Space Advisory Committee. The town of Davie made a proclamation dedicating Dec. 15 as “Debbie Chandler Appreciation Day” in recognition of all of her work in the community.
She had endless energy, a love of life, and an adventurous spirit. She always had a sparkle in her eye, and lived life to the fullest. She loved to make people laugh and get them to see the goodness in everything. She would light up a room and was the spark in so many people’s lives.
She will be terribly missed by all whose lives she touched and will leave an incomprehensible void. Her candle blew out long before her time, but her light will forever shine.
She is survived by her mother, Janice Sites; two brothers, Russell and Douglas Sites; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Marjorie and Joseph Chandler; and five grandchildren, Caden, Rhylan, Kieran, Will and Adeline.
She is predeceased by her father.
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