1951 – 2015

LEWISTON — Deborah “Deb” F. Hemond, 64, of Minot passed away Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Central Maine Medical Center after a short illness.

She was born on Feb. 1, 1951, in Lewiston, the daughter of Don and Ernestine (Jones) Hotham. She attended local schools and graduated from Edward Little High School in 1969. She married the love of her life, Richard “Rick” Hemond, on May 8, 1971, and together, they began their family.

Deb worked at Sims Restaurant and the Holiday Inn as a waitress before becoming “the voice of Minot” for 18 years, dispatching for the Minot Fire Department from the top of Pottle Hill. The only day she would not be there was on Thursday, when she went on her grocery trips.

As a teenager, Deb loved to ski at Sugarloaf and taught ski lessons to others. She still remembered those days while driving by the mountain every spring as she made her camping trip to Carrabassett Valley. Winter was her favorite time, and she loved the snow that winter would bring, as well as celebrating Christmas. In the spring and summer, her attention was directed to her gardening and lawn, making sure that they were kept up and well-maintained.

She loved to can and use her canned goods for her phenomenal recipes that she often cooked while entertaining and hosting friends and family at her home. There was never a time that you could walk into her house and not have some sort of appetizer presented to you. When she had to stay inside, she enjoyed watching the older shows like “The Waltons,” doing crossword puzzles, and spending time with her dog, Sophie. She was one of a kind.

Deb is survived by her husband of 44 years, Rick; her son, Robert and his wife, Tammy Hemond; six grandchildren, Danica, Bailee, Nathan and Lynsey Hemond, Libbie Strout and Jack Watts; her mother-in-law, Noella Hemond; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents; a daughter, Dawn Watts; a brother, Dana Hotham; and her father-in-law, Roland Hemond.

You may offer your online condolences to Deb’s family at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.