January 5, 1943 – October 31, 2025
Deborah L. Branch (née Donovan), a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother of Kennebunk, Maine, passed away in Wells, ME, on October 31, 2025, at the age of 82.
Deborah was born on January 5, 1943, in Cambridge, MA, the daughter of Leo and Elinor (Foley) Donovan. She graduated from Winchester High, Class of 1960, and also attended Mt. Ida College, completing her studies in 1962.
Her professional life began as a Flight Attendant for Mohawk Airlines, and she later transitioned into an administrative role, working for various medical practices. As her husband Peter’s career advanced, Debby began to consider retiring from her administrative work. Determined not to remain idle, she decided to give her time and efforts to the Reading (MA) Senior Community. She worked four days per week, plating and serving food to the seniors, fulfilling an objective to be active in her community.
A longtime resident of Billerica, Massachusetts, Debby lived in Billerica for more than 20 years, raising her sons to be active in sports and Cub Scouts. She served as a den mother for Cub Scouts. Debby was very active as a band parent in the Friends of Music, Billerica Memorial High School, which served both the school’s marching band and high school concert band. She took on responsibilities for fundraising activities, such as selling sub sandwiches to raise money for transportation, uniforms, and general expenses. She made bus arrangements for the band, and for parents, to travel to competitions throughout the Northeast. Once her children were off to school and work, Debby became a tennis enthusiast and played in women’s doubles tournaments on the Northshore and Eastern Massachusetts. She earned a Billerica Town doubles championship during one of those tournaments.
Following Peter’s retirement, they moved to Kennebunk, Maine. As a member of the Farragut Condominium Association, Debby participated in organizing many of the social activities for the entire complex. She particularly enjoyed organizing and leading the exercise class a couple of days per week. She took great pride in watching her grandsons, Brady and Christopher, compete at the high school level in soccer and lacrosse and then advance to college-level lacrosse. She showed a dedication to those she loved, always supporting her family through good times and bad.
Deborah is survived by her husband of twenty years, Peter; her sons, Brian O’Keefe of Groveland, MA and Mark O’Keefe and his wife Angela of Danvers, MA; her daughter, Candace Hunt and husband James of Billerica, MA; and her two grandchildren, Brady and Christopher Hunt.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date to honor her life in accordance with her wishes.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association to support awareness, research toward a cure, and assistance for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s. Donations can be made online at alz.org or by mail to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Deborah’s Book of Memories Page at bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043.
