Debess Rogers

LYNDEBOROUGH -- Debess Rogers, 60, of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire, died Friday, July 15, 2016 suddenly after tragically being hit by a truck while walking near her home. She has lived in New Hampshire for 38 years with her family in the house they built.

She leaves her mother, Shirley Petrozzi, and her husband, Rocky, of Newington, Connecticut, and her brother, Michael Rogers and his wife, Joan, of Simsbury, Connecticut. Debess loved her Mom and brother with all her heart. She was predeceased by her father, Stanley Rogers. She leaves her dearest husband, Guntis Grabazs, with whom she shared never ending love and adventure in their 40 years of marriage. She leaves her beloved children, Andra and her husband, Jeremy Hall, of Greenfield, Lara and her husband, Taylor Arnett, of Lancaster, and Eli of Boulder, Colorado. Andra, Lara and Eli were everything to Debess. Her grandchildren Emilija (Emi) and Aleksandrs (Alek) Hall brought her joy and happiness with each moment they spent with her. She also leaves four nieces and nephews, Elliot and Sarah Rogers and Julia and Angela Martoccia Grabazs, who loved their Aunt Deb so very much.

She was born in Meriden, Connecticut, and raised in Newington, Connecticut, graduating from Hartford State Technical College and the University of Connecticut. She flourished in both of her careers as a senior software engineer and as an educator of speech language pathology for persons with special needs. She had many interests and was passionate about each one. Debess loved music and attending concerts with friends who shared many good times together. She was an avid hiker, camper, kayaker and traveler who took in the outdoors and nature every chance she had. She enjoyed photography and shared her beautiful images that documented every trip, family events, gathering of friends, and the four seasons of the year. Time with family and friends was most important and she was there for everyone and supported each person with what they needed with respect, patience, and compassion. She lived each day to the fullest and time visiting and being with Debess was always full of peace, warmth, laughter and happiness.

Debess was a long-time member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Milford. She participated in children's circles, women's spirituality groups, worked with the congregation's Green Sanctuary efforts and was a leader with their partner church in Transylvania, Romania. She was fondly dubbed "Saint Debess" in the congregation. She volunteered in her community, helping many in countless ways. Debess exuded positivity, love and kindness to everyone without exception and there are so many who will miss her more than words can tell.

A memorial service with a reception following will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 20 Elm St., Milford, NH on Friday, July 22 at 1:30 p.m. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH 03055. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.

Having volunteered for St. Joseph Home and Hospice Care in Milford, the soup kitchen in Nashua, SHARE of Milford and St. Judes Hospital, donations made in her name or volunteering at any of these organizations would honor her memory. She will be greatly missed by everyone that she touched with her love.