1951- 2015

WINDSOR — Deborah Ellen Walsh, 63, of Windsor, passed on Friday, June 12, at the Androscoggin Hospice House after a brief illness with her family by her side.

She was born on Oct. 21, 1951, in Lincoln, the daughter of Orrin and Doris (McCafferty) Bearce.

She grew up in the Waterville area, the oldest of seven children. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in social work from University of Southern Maine, Debbie held many social service jobs in the Portland and central Maine areas. One of her favorites was working for the AIDS project in the 1980s.

Debbie was proud and enjoyed helping others in her community. She made many close friends throughout her life and kept in contact with them all through letters. She never gave that up; even with the progress of emails, she still preferred paper and pen. She raised two daughters, which Debbie would say was her biggest and proudest accomplishment. She deeply adored her only grandson, Nicholas, and enjoyed teaching him the simple pleasures of life.

Debbie will be missed by many including her daughters, Colleen Walsh of Winthrop and Shana D’Andrea of Portland; her grandson, Nicholas Walsh; and new granddaughter, Elaina D’Andrea; her mother, Doris Bearce; brothers, Danny, Jeffrey and Johnny Bearce; sisters, Kathryrn Bearce, Paula Katyryniuk and Lisa Mitchell; dozens of nieces and nephews; many friends; and “The Usual Suspects.”

She was predeceased by her father, Orrin Bearce.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.