Deborah A. Erling O'Hara

Deborah Anne (Erling) O'Hara, 71, of Newington, beloved wife of George O'Hara for 29 years, passed away Sunday, December 7, 2025 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Debbie and George met at the singles ministry at First Church in Wethersfield in 1995 and were married the following year at the church.
Debbie was born in Southington on September 14, 1954 the daughter of the late Herman and Eleonora (Selnau) Erling and grew up in Bristol, graduating from Bristol Central High School. Besides her loving husband she is survived by her niece Sarah Williams and great-nephew Logan Williams both of Bristol; her brother-in-law John O'Hara, Jr. and his children and grandchildren of New Jersey; her sister-in-law Doretta Gladysz of Manchester; and many other relatives and dear friends in Connecticut and out of state.
Besides her parents, Debbie was predeceased by her sister Cheryl Erling; her brother Jan Erling; her sister Barbara Erling; and her brother-in-law Stanley Gladysz.
Debbie's career included 30 years of working for the State of Connecticut performing secretarial and administrative duties prior to retiring in 2017. Much time during her retirement was devoted to caring for her sisters as they battled serious illnesses.
Debbie completed a significant number of college classes at UConn, CCSU, and two local community colleges (Manchester and Tunxis) and worked as a literacy volunteer as well. She loved the arts and excelled at them, especially painting and playing the guitar. She was an avid reader, a great listener, and loved animals, especially her pets, including her Bichon Frisé named Hannah who was a great companion to her for nearly 14 years. Debbie cared about the environment and was a champion of recycling, animal rights, and the ecology.
In recent years Debbie looked forward to Spring and watching baseball games on TV, especially the Mets and the Yankees with her man. She took great pleasure in watching and cheering for Logan as he took part in athletics including baseball, lacrosse, and wrestling. He was truly special to her. She enjoyed romantic dinners by candlelight as well as picnics at the Ferry Park in Rocky Hill. Debbie was kind, compassionate, good natured, joyful, and a great believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the North Shore Animal League at www.animalleague.org or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Debbie's family on Sunday, December 14th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Duksa Family Funeral Home at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. Her funeral will begin on Monday, December 15th at 8:45 a.m. from the funeral home. Her funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Church of Christ, Congregational, 1075 Main St., Newington. She will be laid to rest in West Meadow Cemetery, Newington. To share a condolence with her family, please visit www.duksa.net.