DRESDEN – Debra Jane Ayotte, 64, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 21, 2023, at Maine Medical Center in Portland. She was born Feb. 8, 1959, a daughter of Eula C. (Newburn) and James L. Brown Jr.

Debra grew up in South Gardiner and graduated from Gardiner Area High School in the class of 1977. After school, she got married and became a mother to her children, Amanda “Mandy” and Michael “Mikey”. For many years, she was employed at Key Bank in Gardiner and then for the State of Maine at the Bureau of Licensing until her retirement in August of 2021. In 1994, she was remarried to the love of her life, Lawrence “Larry” Ayotte and the two made their home in Dresden.

Deb enjoyed tending to her flower gardens and feeding and watching the birds. Some of her favorite pastimes have been spent on motorcycle rides, jeep rides, and trips to Ogunquit. She was truly a homemaker who thoroughly enjoyed decorating for all holidays throughout the year. She hosted legendary Easter egg hunts, and she made the Christmas season magical for her family. Above all, family was most important to Deb – she supported and attended all her grandchildren’s sporting events, including practices.

Deb was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Tammy Greenleaf; and her grandson, Cade Hunter Ayotte.

She is survived by her loving husband, Larry Ayotte; her children, Mandy Gagnon and her husband, Oscar, and Mikey Neptune II, her stepchildren, Sara Ayotte-Crandall and her husband Scott, Brent Ayotte, and Caylen Brough and her husband, Kyle; grandchildren, Alex Bower, Isac Burrill, Cody Gagnon, Audriana Neptune, Telsie Haskell, Saben Brough, and August Brough; a brother, James Brown III and his wife, Heather, a brother in law Terry Greenleaf; and nephews, James Brown IV, David Brown, Matthew Greenleaf and niece, Robin Fuller. In addition, she will be missed by her many beloved animals.

A celebration of life will be held on Jan. 20, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Hope Baptist Church, 726 Western Ave., Manchester, ME 04351.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME 04330. Condolences, stories and photos may be shared by visiting http://www.plumemrfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Debra’s name may be made to: St Jude Childrens Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place,

Memphis, TN 38105.

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