Deborah Mae Curtis Gauthier, aged 68, passed away peacefully in her home in Palm Coast, Florida, on February 17, 2024, after an eight-month battle with cancer. Born on November 11, 1955, in Goffstown, New Hampshire, Debbie was the daughter of Opal Elizabeth Brown Curtis and Charles Francis Curtis.

Debbie grew up on Curtview Farm in Milford, New Hampshire and was a graduate of Milford Area Senior High School in 1972. She was an honor roll student who graduated a year early to pursue college as an accounting major. She and the love of her life, Mark Louis Gauthier, went to college together and took Accounting I, II, and III with the same professor. Mark always swore Debbie was smarter than the professor. She was also on the President’s list. On November 18, 1972, she married Mark at the Milford United Methodist Church in Milford, New Hampshire. She and Mark were married for 51 years and did a vast amount of traveling. They went on countless cruises and toured all over the U.S. and abroad, including the Caribbean, South America, Mexico, and Europe. Debbie even achieved her goal of visiting all 50 states. She became a successful State of Florida Certified General Contractor and worked for Arvida and the St. Joe Company. Her career exemplified the epitome of success for a woman in a predominantly male industry.

Debbie’s life was devoted to love and family. She was an expert quilter and seamstress and created beautiful quilts for many friends and family members. Her crafting projects knew no limits, and her imagination could make anything come to life with sophistication and creativity. She was a gardener, a reader, and an avid bird watcher. She was always up for a board game or a card game and was even the family’s go-to computer repairwoman. She humbly bestowed all her skills as gifts to those she loved.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Mark, and their four children: Gwen Gauthier Wunder (James), Richard Gauthier, Heidi Gauthier Marshall (Brent), and Marklyn Gauthier McCready (Robert). Debbie, also known as “the fairy grandmother”, had nine grandchildren who were the light of her life: Kristin Ann Marie, Dylan Ray, Allison Louise, Leann Elizabeth, Emory Burton, Marissa Lynn, Maxwell Louis, Edith June, and Elton Curtis. She also leaves behind her devoted dog, Lilly, who cuddled with her until the very end.

She is also survived by her two older siblings, Shirley Curtis McAlpine and Thomas Curtis (Shirley). Debbie’s sister, Shirley, was her predominant caregiver during her battle with cancer. Shirley didn’t hesitate to move in with Debbie and Mark, take her to all her appointments, and care for her during her entire cancer journey. Debbie’s family wishes to extend their deep gratitude for the love and care Shirley provided for her sister over the last eight months.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Freedom Baptist Church, 1740 SR-207 N, St. Augustine, Florida 32086. There will also be a celebration of life for Debbie in June 2024 at Curtview Farm in Milford, New Hampshire. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Ark Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation who provide care and treatment for injured wildlife: www.thearkrescue.org.