Deborah Richardson

JENSEN BEACH, Fla. – Deborah, 69, of Auburn, Maine, passed away on a Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 3:15 p.m., overlooking her beloved beach and ocean on Hutchinson Island, Fla. She was comforted in her passing by her husband, Barry S Richardson, her sister and best human friend, Diane Wigant, and her cherished furbaby, Isabel.

Deb was born April 7, 1957, in East Lansing, Mich. to Genice and Joseph Bugel. A graduate of Edward Little High School in Auburn and the University of Maine, she was employed by St Mary’s Hospital for 34 years. She shared 28 years with her husband, Barry, and they shared many diverse adventures. She was always up for jumping on the back of the Harley and seeing where the road would lead.

Deb was an excellent skier and enjoyed hosting family and friends at their Slopeside Northpeak Condo at Sunday River Ski Resort. She also enjoyed playing golf and recorded a hole-in-one on the island green at Fox Ridge Country Club. Barry and his dad marveled at Deb vocally identifying the song of a purple finch during her backswing. She loved Ocean cruises and swimming with dolphins and rays and once experienced gale force winds on one 10-day cruise.

Deb loved all animals and identified as a “birdnerd” birdwatcher. She had an appreciation for and commitment to preserving the beauty of our ecological world and lived with the goal of leaving a small carbon imprint. She was an avid reader and consumed several books a week on her Kindle.

Deb considered herself an unrecognized master gardener and landscaper. The Ocean was her lifelong love. She called Hutchinson Island her earthly paradise and visited annually for 40 years. She appreciated every sunrise and previously undiscovered sea turtle nest. She loved a good thunderstorm or a brilliant double rainbow over the ocean. She was elated when a “wicked” nor’easter rolled by. In 2019, Deb and Barry said goodbye to Sunday River and purchased a beachside condo at the Empress on her beloved island in Jensen Beach, Fla. Here, she watched the sea with delight and began playing pickleball several days a week. She formed some great bonds with members of the condo community and the members of her pickleball group.

Deb is survived by her husband, Barry; her father, Joseph; and sister, Diane Wigant and husband Gary; and her cherished, Isabel. She was loved by her blended family, mother-in-law Mary O. Richardson; daughters Shannon, Ashley, and Lindsay; and was “Gigi” to eight grandchildren and one great-grandson; along with nephews Ben and Brian and niece, Deanna.

She was predeceased by her mother; her brother, David; and her much loved poodle, Bella.

Her wish is that people recognize the fragile balance between us and the rest of nature and appreciate all animals and the beauty of the natural world. Deb’s desire is that if you wish to honor her, save one animal in your lifetime; whether it be a shelter animal or a bird that meets a window. Also, Keep your cats inside! She will be watching!

Services for Deborah will be private.

Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin & Pinette Group Funeral Home, 217 Turner St., Auburn, ME 04210, 207-783-8545.