NEWPORT – Deborah Anne Nelson, 72, died April 11, 2021, at a Bangor hospital. She was born Sept. 21, 1948, in Hartland, a daughter of Reginald “Mike” and Claudia (Routher) Boyle.

A lifelong resident of Newport, Deborah graduated from Newport High School Class of 1966, and then D’Lor Beauty School. On Sept. 23, 1967, she married John Trundy of East Newport. She worked as a hairdresser for Avis Dyer, then Ginny Dorman in Corinna. After the great Corinna fire, Ginny suggested she open her own shop, and Deborah’s Beauty Shop opened in 1976. Playpens in the beauty shop and baseball games and kids in the swimming pool occurred in the following years. Deb was a substitute teacher at Newport Elementary School, a Sunday School teacher, and Cub Scout Den Mother.

After some life changes, she met Harold “Harry” Nelson and they married on Jan. 28, 1983, and were happily married for 38 years. After retiring, she got into genealogy research; her French Routhier and Cadrain on her mother’s side, who came from Hartford, Conn., and her Irish Boyle side from Milbridge and Lubec area, and wanted to do more research in Ireland.

Geneological and historical research trips were combined, and last year many trips to the Grant Farm, Seboomook, and Pittston Farm areas; Harry looking for old Coast Survey station disks and Deb and Riley looking for moose and bear, of which there was a bumper crop of last summer. Deb planted lupine at the Grant Farm Privy and wanted to go back this spring to see if they survived.

Deb loved animals, especially dogs, and especially terriers. Two years ago she and Harry drove to southwest Virginia and back in three days to get Riley, a Welch Terrier, as there were no terriers available locally. In the early afternoon April 11, 2021, Deb passed to the next life with her husband holding her hand and Riley by her side. Harry wished to express great thanks to all at Sebasticook Valley Hospital and Eastern Maine Medical Center ICU for the most excellent care and compassion we felt.

In addition to her husband of Newport, Deb is survived by a sister, Jane and husband Russell Sawyer of Newport; two sons, Gavin Trundy of Brattleboro, Vt., Wyatt Trundy and wife Emily of Augusta; her ex-husband, John Trundy of Shirley; grandchildren, Jasmine, Sawyer and Kamryn Trundy; and nieces Renee Fournier and Janelle Leeman.

She was predeceased by a niece, Eileen Bemis and grandniece, Jenny Bemis.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 27, at Crosby & Neal, Newport, with the Rev. Ellen Bridge officiating. Burial will follow at the Riverside Cemetery, Newport. Those who wish may leave written condolences at http://www.CrosbyNeal.com .

Memorial donations may be made to the Bangor Humane Society,

693B Mt. Hope Avenue

Bangor, ME 04401