Deborah Mae Sweeney passed away in the afternoon of October 7th, 2026 in Willimantic CT. Born to Maurice and Dorothy (Dukette) Sweeney on September 18th, 1959 in Burlington VT, Debbie was a Vermont native and spent a majority of her life in the central and northern VT region.

She leaves behind three daughters. Amy (Fred) Arcuri, and their two children Antonio and Claire, of Painted Post NY, Sarah Lyons, and her two children Julian and Reese, of Columbia CT, and Susan (Charlie) Post, and their two children Isaac and Lincoln, of West Bolton VT. She also leaves behind two sisters, Sandra Riggs of Eagle Mountain, UT and Jane Sweeney of Morrisville, VT.

Debbie enjoyed living a modest, peaceful, and unpretentious life. If you did see her at a gathering, she was likely off to the side, quietly enjoying the presence of her grandchildren, or trying to lure a cat within her reach.

Debbie was a voracious reader, and many tales have been told of her ability to read impossibly long Stephen King novels in one day. She spent many hours crafting, and exploring the creative arts, where success was measured in the enjoyment of the task itself, rather than in the finished product.

Debbie cared deeply about animals but never demanded their love. She was at peace around all of God's creatures, whether that creature was willing to approach her or not. She took peace in knowing that as long as that creature was safe and comfortable, that all was right in the world.

Debbie not only enjoyed listening to music, but singing it as well. And very little brought her more joy in this world than listening to her daughters' sing together.

In a modern world where everyone is constantly looking, searching, scrolling, and grasping for meaning, Debbie found meaning in being at peace. In observing. In noticing. In stillness.

This world, and its many demons, were not always kind and forgiving to Debbie, but she lived and spoke and behaved without resentment at the life that she was given. She found beauty in the spaces in between, the spaces that most everyone else overlooks.

One of Debbie’s final wishes was to be interred in a forest in the green mountains of Vermont. To be placed amongst the trees. To experience the changing seasons. To feel the cool breezes of the Summer and the changing colors of the Fall. And to do so as she lived her life – reflectively, in peace and stillness, and with love in her heart for all of God’s creatures.