Deborah "Debbie" Wilder

1943 - 2024

Deborah "Debbie" Wilder

Abilene TX - Deborah "Debbie" Wilder, age 81, formerly of Jaffrey, NH, died peacefully on January 23, 2024, at Northern Oaks Living and Rehabilitation Center in Abilene after a period of failing health.

Debbie was born in Salem, Massachusetts to William Brooking and Constance Smith on January 13, 1943. Growing up she attended horseback riding camp and sailing camp in Martha's Vineyard. She graduated from Lincoln School for Girls in Providence, Rhode Island in 1962. After graduating high school she went on to work at Crotchet Mountain Rehabilitation Center in Greenville, NH. In 1966 she married Nicholas Wilder and together they had two children-Haley and Marc. In 1976 she moved with her two children to Jaffrey and went to work at the Monadnock Nursing Home (MNH). After leaving the MNH she went to work for the Visiting Nurse Association where she took care of the homeowners and their homes throughout southern N.H.

In the early 80's she won $5k in the N.H. state lottery and had her house on Turnpike Road painted, bought her son a mini-bike, and built a horse coral in the backyard so her daughter could have a horse. As a mother, she was accepting, supportive and generous with her time and common-sense advice. She had an unprecedented skill for getting her son out of trouble whether it was at school or with the JPD. She was an excellent cook and made the best shepherd's pie and popovers.

In 1992 she moved to Abilene, Texas to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Upon moving to Abilene, she met Allen Day, and they were married in April 1995. They remained happily married until his passing in July 2014.

Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Nicholas and Allen, brother Robert Brooking and nephew Peter Brooking. She is survived by her sister Constance Sabinson of Parkland, Fl; daughter, Haley Wilder of Abilene, Tx; her son Marc Wilder of Highland, Ca; 5 grandchildren – Rochelle, Ryan, Carly, Christopher, & Madison; 5 great-grandchildren – Wyatt, Wesley, Liam, Evelyn & Dawson as well as many other relatives and friends