Obituary for Debra Tooley
ROCKLAND - Debra A. “Debbie” Tooley, 52, passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully in her sleep, Thursday, March 12, 2020. She was born at Knox Hospital, on June 7, 1967, the daughter of the late John E. Tooley and Anne C. (Ripley) Tooley.
Debbie grew up and attended school in Camden. She started her career as a Med-Tech II at Camden Healthcare Center, where she found her passion for the medical field. During that time, she also got her EMT license and later became a paramedic. After volunteering for several years as an EMT, Debbie became a full-time Paramedic at Camden First Aid Association (CFAA) in 2000. Debbie worked for CFAA until 2013, and then went on to work as a Paramedic Supervisor for North East Mobile Health Services, where she currently worked. She was known for her calming, reassuring presence in the most emergent situations. She was dedicated to the community that she grew up in and was greatly respected by the people that she worked with and cared for.
Debbie enjoyed spending time with her large and loving family, as well as her daily walks with Heidi and her dog Matie at the Owls Head Lighthouse. She was proud of the fact that she learned to ski at a young age and grew up skiing at the Camden Snowbowl. She always looked forward to going to the family camp in Moosehead, where she picked berries, drove the old dirt roads, and swam in Moosehead Lake. She also enjoyed vacationing on the beach in Treasure Island, Florida. Debbie spent the warmer months planting and harvesting her garden, in which she grew the most beautiful dahlias and ripest tomatoes. She always looked forward to sharing her bountiful crop with friends and family.
As the big sister of the family, Debbie lovingly referred to all of her younger siblings as “the kids.” She was their leader, always lending a hand, protecting them and putting them before herself.
Debbie enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. She was a very non-judgmental and humble person, who radiated kindness through her warm smile. She looked out for everyone and could make light of any situation with her mischievous sense of humor. As the fun-loving aunt, Debbie cherished the time she spent with her nieces and nephews as much as they did with her. She was always spoiling them with special treats.
Debbie was the heart of Heidi Mansfield, of Rockland. She is survived by her mother, Anne Tooley of Rockport; grandmother Edna Tooley of Camden; stepmother Karen Tooley of South Thomaston; siblings, Patti and Terry Lawry of St. George, Terri Tooley of Rockport, Cathy-Jo and Michael Dodge of Hope, John L. Tooley of Camden, Jenn Tooley of Bethel, and Brogan Tooley of Camden; nieces and nephews Kelsey and Trevor Lawry, Hilary and Eben Merrifield, Spencer and Sam Tooley, and Mabel and Bailey Dodge; many aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as her step-daughter Sarita and Drew Drinkwater of Camden; extended Mansfield family; and beloved dog Matie. Debbie was predeceased by her father, John E Tooley, and her dog Lucy.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The American Lighthouse Foundation to support the Owls Head Light Preservation Projects, PO Box 565, Rockland, ME 04841 or made online at
http://www.lighthousefoundation.org.
A Celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Debbie grew up and attended school in Camden. She started her career as a Med-Tech II at Camden Healthcare Center, where she found her passion for the medical field. During that time, she also got her EMT license and later became a paramedic. After volunteering for several years as an EMT, Debbie became a full-time Paramedic at Camden First Aid Association (CFAA) in 2000. Debbie worked for CFAA until 2013, and then went on to work as a Paramedic Supervisor for North East Mobile Health Services, where she currently worked. She was known for her calming, reassuring presence in the most emergent situations. She was dedicated to the community that she grew up in and was greatly respected by the people that she worked with and cared for.
Debbie enjoyed spending time with her large and loving family, as well as her daily walks with Heidi and her dog Matie at the Owls Head Lighthouse. She was proud of the fact that she learned to ski at a young age and grew up skiing at the Camden Snowbowl. She always looked forward to going to the family camp in Moosehead, where she picked berries, drove the old dirt roads, and swam in Moosehead Lake. She also enjoyed vacationing on the beach in Treasure Island, Florida. Debbie spent the warmer months planting and harvesting her garden, in which she grew the most beautiful dahlias and ripest tomatoes. She always looked forward to sharing her bountiful crop with friends and family.
As the big sister of the family, Debbie lovingly referred to all of her younger siblings as “the kids.” She was their leader, always lending a hand, protecting them and putting them before herself.
Debbie enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. She was a very non-judgmental and humble person, who radiated kindness through her warm smile. She looked out for everyone and could make light of any situation with her mischievous sense of humor. As the fun-loving aunt, Debbie cherished the time she spent with her nieces and nephews as much as they did with her. She was always spoiling them with special treats.
Debbie was the heart of Heidi Mansfield, of Rockland. She is survived by her mother, Anne Tooley of Rockport; grandmother Edna Tooley of Camden; stepmother Karen Tooley of South Thomaston; siblings, Patti and Terry Lawry of St. George, Terri Tooley of Rockport, Cathy-Jo and Michael Dodge of Hope, John L. Tooley of Camden, Jenn Tooley of Bethel, and Brogan Tooley of Camden; nieces and nephews Kelsey and Trevor Lawry, Hilary and Eben Merrifield, Spencer and Sam Tooley, and Mabel and Bailey Dodge; many aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as her step-daughter Sarita and Drew Drinkwater of Camden; extended Mansfield family; and beloved dog Matie. Debbie was predeceased by her father, John E Tooley, and her dog Lucy.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The American Lighthouse Foundation to support the Owls Head Light Preservation Projects, PO Box 565, Rockland, ME 04841 or made online at
http://www.lighthousefoundation.org.
A Celebration of life will be announced at a later date.