Deborah J. Russell

Deborah "Deba" J. Russell (Blake), of Abington, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She courageously fought Pulmonary Fibrosis for many years and ultimately passed at the age of 73.

Deborah was born on July 17, 1953. She was a graduate Pioneer Valley Regional High School in Northfield, Massachusetts. She later attended Barrington College in Barrington, Rhode Island, where her relationship with Mike Russell began. Deba graduated in 1975 with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Education.

Deba and Mike married in 1977, and together they moved to Abington in 1981, where they bought their home and built a family.

Deba began her career in special education where she dedicated herself to helping and caring for others. Following that, she spent a short time in retail sales before becoming a Medical Assistant and working at South Shore Urology for 15 years before retiring.

Family was the most important part of Deba’s life. She was a loving wife to Mike, a devoted mother to her son Josh Russell and her late son Jeremy Russell, and a cherished mother-in-law to Kimberly Russell (Franey). She treasured the time spent with her family and took great pride in the people they had become. Becoming Grammy to Noah, Molly and Zachary was truly one of her greatest joys in life.

Deba was a passionate Boston sports fan and especially loved the Boston Red Sox. She also had a special love for #27 and GWP, which held meaningful places in her heart.

Deba’s warmth, strength, love, and devotion to her family will be deeply missed. She leaves behind a lifetime of cherished memories that will remain with her family and all those who knew and loved her. Deba is survived by Darleyne Ann Wood and her late husband Paul of Bernardston, Peter Blake and his wife Mary-Jane of Northfield, Amanda Cronin and her husband David of Florence, Daniel Blake and his wife Kate of North Carolina, and Melissa Alden and her husband Andrew of Leominster; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Quealy & Son Funeral Home 116 Adams Street, Abington, MA on Friday September 25 from 4 PM to 7 PM. A funeral home service will be held on Saturday September 26 at 10 AM. Interment will be later date at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Abington.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Deborah's memory may be made to the Jeremy Russell Memorial Foundation, c/o Brian Libby, 61 Rockland St., Abington, MA 02351.