She was born on March 29, 1956, in Nashua, NH, the third daughter of John and Elizabeth Demakis. She grew up in Brunswick and Topsham, graduating from Mt. Ararat High School in 1974. She married Michael Gragen on Nov. 17, 1995, and made their home on Cathance Road in Topsham.
She was employed at the Navy Exchange shortly after graduating from high school, working her way up to general store manager of the Exchange. She retired due to illness in 1996.
She was a very giving person, volunteering on the Navy Officers Wives Club Christmas Fair for several years. After the base closure, she and her husband continued to Christmas Fair under the All Military Association, donating all proceeds to local charities, including Midcoast Hunger Prevention and the Navy Relief Fund. Her widespread generosity will always be remembered by her family and many friends.
Mike and Debbie loved their trips to Bar Harbor, taking in the ocean vistas and just being together. They also traveled to North Conway, NH, annually to celebrate their wedding anniversary and kick off the Christmas shopping season. They loved going to Wiscasset Speedway, spending numerous Sundays at the track, and you could always catch them watching NASCAR races at home. She enjoyed spending time with family, especially Saturday lunches and shopping excursions with her sister. She hosted numerous holidays and family celebrations at her home, always remembering and including everyone.
Her disease required strength and character, traits for which she was well known. She met the challenges with fortitude and often assisted others to deal with diabetes. She worked with Dr. Timothy Howe on a locally televised forum on the effects of diet on diabetes.
She is survived by her loving husband, Michael, two sisters, Geraldine Reeves of Brunswick and Christina (Rodney) Davis of Richmond, ME, two stepchildren, Zachary (Katherine) Gragen of Ashland, MA and Mary (Michael) Rogers of Laurence Harbour, NJ, two stepgrandchildren, Laura and Jack, several nieces and nephews and her special nephew, Eric (Amy) Brewer.
The family would like to thank Dr. Howe for his years of care and consideration of Debbie.
Visiting hours will be Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick. Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Rogers Cemetery in Topsham.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association of New England, 60 Walnut St., Wellesley, MA 02481. Please visit www.brackettfuneralhome.com to view a tribute video and leave a message of condolence for the Gragen family.
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