Deborah W. Morton passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at her home on Zeitler Farm Road in Brunswick, Maine.

Deborah was born in September 1931 to Samuel H. Williams (Bowdoin Class of 1925) and Elizabeth Fulton Coombs, a native of Bath. She enjoyed a wonderful childhood growing up in Reading, Massachusetts and spent carefree summer days at the family’s vacation home in Falmouth Heights, Cape Cod. She was an avid reader, honor student and class leader throughout her school years, graduating from high school as Valedictorian at age 16. She continued her studies at the University of Maine at Orono where she was a straight A student and voted Calico Queen during her freshman year. She loved college in Orono where she met lifelong friends and participated in campus activities. It was also the place where Deborah met Paul H. Clark, Jr., an Army veteran and fellow student who became her first love. In 1951 Paul and Deborah were married and later moved to Portland where Paul began his career as head of Paul H. Clark Corporation, a manufacturer of doors and windows.

Motherhood soon became Deborah’s focus as she and Paul started a family. Within a few years they welcomed three sons into the world; Paul III (known at home as Terry), Peter and Dana. Life in Portland with three boys was full and the fond memories of these early days in Portland lasted throughout her life. Tragically, Paul Jr. came down with a terminal illness and passed away in 1958, devastating Deborah and her young family.

In the years following Paul Jr.’s death, Deborah raised her boys and brought them on adventures around the country. In the early 60’s, Deborah’s mother suggested that she begin to accept social invitations and shortly after deciding this was good advice, Deborah’s closest friends introduced her to a young Bowdoin graduate and Portland banker, Doug Morton. Not surprisingly, many of Doug’s friends questioned his sanity by getting involved with a woman with three young boys, but Deborah was a truly special woman and Doug was no fool. Her natural beauty and big heart won him over. They fell in love and were married at the Bowdoin College Chapel in March 1962. When Doug’s bank transferred him to their Brunswick branch in the fall of 1963, the family moved out of Portland to begin a new life in the college town of Brunswick.

Doug and Deborah decided to expand their family and in December 1963, Deborah gave birth to twin sons, Steven and Seth who were absolutely adored by their parents, and in particular their three half-brothers. Deborah was the clear leader of the house and she not only had the right stuff to raise five boys, but the sense of humor and love to make it all work. Deborah was an amazing mother who coordinated family vacations and was later a fixture at various Brunswick sporting events to cheer on her boys; countless BHS swim meets in the 1970’s and hockey games for her twins. Brunswick was an ideal place to raise the family and Deborah and Doug cultivated a deep bond with the town over the years. She loved Brunswick, its residents, the college and all the activities that the area offered.

In the early 1970’s Douglas and Deborah took a number of real estate courses together with plans to one day open a real estate business. In 1974 Doug took a sabbatical from his banking career to start Douglas Morton Real Estate. Deborah joined Doug as partner and eventually took over sole ownership when Doug resumed his banking career.

At the age of 40, Deborah began her transition from full-time motherhood to owner of the newly renamed, Morton Real Estate. Oldest son, Paul joined the company and eventually became her partner.

Over the next 4 decades, Deborah and Paul would grow Morton Real Estate into one of the most respected real estate companies in Maine. Deborah brokered hundreds of real estate transactions while also managing the advertising which many people believed was one of the firm’s strong points. Along the way, she developed close friendships with clients and peers who admired her unwavering ethics and professionalism. During her career, Deborah served as a board director and President of several organizations, including The Merrymeeting Multiple Listing Service, The Military Community Affairs Council and The Pejepscot Historical Society. She was also a director and the first woman President of the Brunswick Area Chamber of Commerce.

Providing the spiritual guidance and inner strength that Deborah relied on throughout her life was The First Church of Christ Scientist. She was a devout member of the church her entire life and for over 50 years she served the Brunswick church in many capacities, including director, treasurer, and President of the Board. She also served a term as First Reader. She raised her five sons in the church and taught many area children as a teacher in the Sunday school. Her belief and passion for Christian Science would last until the day she passed away.

Deborah Morton was an amazing woman who lived a life full of love and conviction. She was deeply spiritual, adventurous, funny, hardworking, compassionate and the embodiment of beauty in every sense of the word. Her family gatherings were epic; whether it was entertaining over the holidays or magically providing dinner for 30 in a tiny kitchen on her beloved Pole Island on a summer evening, Deborah made it all look easy. She was an avid gardener and loved to travel, from taking her young family rafting on the Colorado River in 1971 to trekking Machu Picchu at the age of 75. Most of all, she loved the ocean; whether running as a little girl on a Cape Cod beach or gazing out on Quahog Bay from the deck of her Pole Island cottage, she was at home on the water. She loved animals and especially adored the numerous family pets over the years that were blessed to be in her care. Deborah was a wonderful wife and her sons affectionately refer to her as the best mom in the world.

Deborah is survived by her husband of 54 years, Doug Morton of Brunswick. She is also survived by an ever-growing family tree that absolutely adored her, including son Paul III (Terry) Clark and his wife Marcy and their children Lindsay and her husband Josh Shields of Park City, UT, Paul IV and his wife, Cari and daughter Adleigh of Topsham, and daughter Whitney of Park City, UT; son Peter W. Clark of West Palm Beach, FL and his two children, Brett Clark and his son Cruz of Austin, Texas and Ashley Coulon and her husband, Gabe and their children Ryan and Gabriel of Harpswell; son Dana Clark and his wife Jean of Acton, Massachusetts and their two sons Dana M. Clark and his wife, Christy of Boston and Evan of Boston; son Steve Morton of St. Thomas, VI and Freeport and his two daughters Blake and Afton. Deborah was predeceased by her youngest son Seth W. Morton in May 2016. Seth’s daughter, Siena resides in San Anselmo, California. In addition, Deborah had two siblings. Her younger sister Leslie Williams Newman passed away in 1970 and her younger brother Samuel H. Williams, Jr. of Charleston, SC. And, of course, Deborah leaves her two canine loves, Russ and Rolly and other members of a very close knit family and dear friends too numerous to mention.

At Deborah’s request, a private family service will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in her memory to The First Church of Christ Scientist in Brunswick, The Coastal Humane Society or the charity of your choice. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.