Debra Manter Creighton

Debra Manter Creighton, 53 FALMOUTH -- Debra L. Manter Creighton, of Pleasant Hill Road, Falmouth, died on Oct. 21, 2009, following a long illness, surrounded by her loving family. She was 53 years old. Born in Jacksonville, N.C., on April 3, 1956, the daughter of Louis and Loretta Manter, she attended schools in Jacksonville, N.C., South Portland, Lakewood, Ohio and Portland, graduating from Deering High School in 1974. Following high school, Debra attended the University of Southern Maine, graduating in 1978 with a bachelor of fine arts degree. She was a very talented artist who loved painting, photography and stained glass artwork. Recently she participated as an artist in the Portland Sidewalk Arts Festival, as she had in the past. Following her graduation from USM, she attended Southern Maine Technical College in South Portland, graduating with an associate degree in Nursing. Initially she pursued her nursing career at Mercy Hospital in Portland. Through further study she earned a bachelor of science degree in Nursing from the University of Southern Maine in Portland. As a dedicated and loving registered nurse, she continued on with her 28 year career at Mercy Hospital, Maine Medical Center, Community Health Services and various long term care assignments. She loved spending time outdoors, especially in the sun, working in her floral, herb and vegetable gardens. She also enjoyed going on weekend getaways at her camp in Palermo, Maine, accompanied by her husband, her sister and her sister's family. Debra was a neighborhood drive volunteer for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She was predeceased by her mother in 2007. She is survived by her husband Daniel Creighton Jr.; her father Louis Manter of Portland; three sisters, Sherri Cote and her husband Marc of Olympia, Wash., Susan Kunkel and her husband Louis of Westwood, Mass., and Sharon Manter of Portland; along with nieces, nephews and many other loving relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, at 11 a.m., at the chapel of Independent Death Care of Maine, 471 Deering Ave., Portland, followed by a luncheon at Verillo's Restaurant, 155 Riverside St., commencing at 1 p.m. To offer words of condolence, share memories and sign a guestbook, go to the obituary page at www.independentdeathcare.com. Arrangements are under the guidance of Independent Death Care, 471 Deering Ave., Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Donor Services P.O. Box 4072 Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01202 Debra Manter Creighton