Deborah Jane Boyden of Dania, FL, died suddenly of cancer June 13, at the age of 78. A native of Quincy, MA, she was born March 31, 1934 to Martha Lorraine (Birchby) Boyden and F. Wendell Boyden. Debby is lovingly remembered by her sister Diane Boyden Pesso, brother Wendell Boyden Jr.; and her nieces, great-nephews, and great-niece. Debby graduated from Quincy High School, attended Simmons College, and gained certification from the Gemological Institute of America. A striking beauty with a tremendous sense of style and fashion, Debby modeled in her youth and went on to become the Number 2 buyer at Filene's in women's high fashion clothes. In her thirties Debby began a career in jewelry and antiques at the famous Thieves Market in Virginia under the tutelage of one of the most famous dealers there. From the 1970's to 1984 she co-owned a highly successful antiques and jewelry store at the French Quarter in West Hollywood, LA. Later, after returning to Quincy to care for her terminally ill mother, Debby opened a similar store in Dania, FL which she ran until her death. Debby was notable among dealers for educating sellers as to the nature and value of their objects. She was deeply knowledgeable about collectibles with a seemingly insatiable thirst for learning more. Debby recently learned more about her genealogy and was especially proud to discover that she was a descendant of six Mayflower passengers and eligible many times over to join the Daughters of the American Revolution. A staunch liberal Democrat and supporter of President Obama, Debby followed politics and current events avidly until her dying day. Her compassion for abandoned and feral cats led her to care for hundreds of cats. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be observed Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. at Lydon Chapel for Funerals in Quincy, followed by rites of committal and burial at Mt. Wollaston Cemetery. Expressions of affection in the form of a charitable contribution are encouraged in lieu of flowers to a tribute fund in her honor at Angell Memorial/MSPCA: http://bit.ly/LVb0sF.
Published in The Patriot Ledger on July 9, 2012
