Debra Jean Nolan

1952 - 2016

Beloved daughter, sister, mother and grandmother, Debra Jean Thurston Nolan entered eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ on January 5, 2016, the eve of the Epiphany. She received her last rites and was surrounded by her loving family. Debra is survived by her parents: William and Jeannine Thurston; her children: Alisha and Robert Herrington, Captain Sean and Celine Nolan, and Allison and Robert Kennedy; her grandchildren: Kaela, Benjamin and Samuel Herrington, Keegan and Paige Kennedy, and Caleb Nolan; her siblings Elizabeth and David Eddy, Bill and Chrissy Thurston, Linda Gannon and David Lucas, Lisa and Bob Wilson, B.J. and Brian Hooker; and numerous special nieces and nephews. Debbie loved her family deeply and her grandchildren were her pride and joy. Debbie gave of her love freely, was kind and patient, and had a deep and profound love for our Lord. Debbie was involved in many ministries at St Mary Church in Coventry, CT including Life in the Spirit Seminars, RCIA, Enthronements of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Prayer Groups, ACTS retreats, was a novice in the Lay Fraternity of St. Dominic and had been pursuing a masters degree in theology at Holy Apostles College. She regularly covered nighttime Adoration hours, attended Mass daily, and prayed the Rosary often. Debbie loved family gatherings, card and board games, gardening, swimming, theology, bird watching, biology, fishing, healing prayer, collecting gemstones and stamps, showing Siamese cats, and breeding tropical fish. Debbie loved to sing and found incredible enjoyment listening to Christian music. She attended St. James School, East Catholic High School, and became a teacher upon graduation from Fairfield University. She home-schooled her children and took them to daily swimming practice. She loved to watch her nieces and nephews play sports and participate in church dramas. Debbie worked at MTM Corporation with her brother for over 15 years. In 2012, Debbie moved to Florida to help raise her grandchildren and assist in the care of her parents. Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 2013. We miss her dearly! Debbie's life will be celebrated at Funeral Mass on Saturday, February 13th at St. Mary Church at 9 am, located at 1600 Main Street in Coventry. A procession will take place to St. James Cemetery for an Interment of Ashes at 11am, located at 360 Broad Street in Manchester. Immediately following, family and friends will gather for a reception at Cheney Hall located at 177 Hartford Road, Manchester.