PEAKS ISLAND – Deb died May 13, 2023 at home on her beloved Peaks Island with her best friend and husband of 46 years at her side after living with Parkinson’s Disease. She was born in Littleton, N.H. and grew up in Augusta. She attended the University of Maine in Orono graduating in 1969.

Deb and Steve found their home on Peaks Island in 1982. She loved the island, especially tromping through the woods and sitting by the ocean on the back side. She was an avid birder, gourmet cook and creative decorator. She was an especially gifted and talented artist and worked in a variety of mediums, including metal, leather and textiles. She sculpted carpets for Angela Adams, sewed for Sea Bags and did custom upholstery work.

She was predeceased by her mother, Cecilia Kozacko McKowen and father, Harriman, “Mac” McKowen of Augusta.

She is survived by her husband, Steve Nilsen and their Maine Coon cat, Ta of Peaks Island; her sister, Annie McKowen of Freeport and her sister, Susan McKowen O’Connor and her husband Steve of South Portland and Parrish, Fla., her brother-in-law, Brian Nilsen and his wife Carolyn of Casco; her nephew, Ben Blouin, wife Catherine, and children Olive, Rose, Auden and Thatcher of Cape Elizabeth; niece, Kathryn Blouin and husband Mike Goettig and children Cordelia and Thaddeus of South Orange, N.J.; Sarah O’Connor Willmott, husband James and children Michael, Landen, Hunter and Catherine of Concord, N.H.; and cousins Bill Avery of Freeport, Jon Avery and Jan Bickel of Clearwater, Fla. and Kittery Point.

There will be a private service in the future.

Arrangements entrusted to Hobbs Funeral Home.com.

In lieu of flowers,

donations can be made in Deb’s name to:

Maine Parkinson Society

146 Parkway South

Suite 210

Brewer, ME 04412

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