Deborah A. Hall

Deborah A. Hall (70), a longtime resident of St. Maries, Idaho, passed away at her home, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and devotion to family. Debbie was born on December 16, 1955, in Toledo, Ohio, to Virginia Brownell.

At a young age, Debbie's family moved to Colfax, Washington, after moving to Colfax the man she called dad Bill Brownell came into her life. She graduated from Colfax High School in 1974. It was there that she met the love of her life, Leroy Hall. Their story was one of true partnership and devotion that spanned out over 50 years.

Debbie and Leroy were married on November 22, 1975, and began their life together in Spokane, Washington, while Leroy attended college. Following his graduation, they moved to Fernwood, Idaho, and soon began raising their family. Over the years, Debbie faithfully followed Leroy wherever work took them-living in Fernwood, Lewiston, and even Alaska, including time in Kake, Homer, and Fairbanks. During these years, Debbie became a CNA and worked in caregiving roles, a calling that came naturally to her.

Eventually, the family settled on their property out Flat Creek, just outside of St. Maries. Debbie chose to stay home to raise her boys, a role she cherished deeply. She later worked with Panhandle Health and also provided in-home care for friends and family members. Caring for others was simply who Debbie was-she had a gentle spirit and a servant's heart.

In her later years, Debbie found her greatest joy in being a grandmother. She was truly the best grandma, and when her great-grandchildren arrived, her heart somehow grew even bigger. Though she refused the title of "great-grandma," her greats lovingly knew her as "Gigi"-a name that suited her perfectly.

Debbie was incredibly talented with a sewing machine and made hundreds of quilts over the years-each one a gift of love that her family will treasure forever. She also enjoyed canning and making jam with her sister in-law Rena, tending to her flower beds, collecting coins, and holding on to anything sentimental. Debbie kept artwork and school projects from her children and grandchildren, preserving memories others might have tucked away. She was an exceptional cook and a phenomenal baker, and the holidays-especially Christmas-were her specialty. She loved hosting a planning holiday gatherings with family and yearly tradition baking day with her daughter-in-law Becky and her granddaughter Aubree where they made her famous pumpkin rolls among other goodies.

Debbie will be remembered for her kindness, her gentle nature, and her ability to love without judgment. She never met a stranger and always made people feel welcome. She was the kind of mom who not only loved her own children fiercely but opened her home and her heart to their friends, treating them like family and spoiling them just the same.

Debbie is survived by her loving husband, Leroy Hall, at their home in St. Maries; her sons, Jason (Becky) Hall and Justin (Starr) Hall, both of St. Maries; grandchildren Aubree (Kiefer) Gibson and Caden (Alexa) Hall, all of Post Falls, Idaho; great-grandchildren Kenlee and Reece Gibson; her sister Jeanette Brownell; step-siblings Debbie and Greg Brownell; siblings-in-law Jim (Judy) Hall, Rena (Gary) Thomason, and Chris (Denise) Thomason; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Virginia "Ginny" Brownell; her brothers, John Birr and Tim Birr; her parents-in-law, Pete and Bev Thomason; and her sister-in-law, Shelly Wunderlich.

A Celebration of Debbie's life will be on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Elks Lodge in St. Maries. A gathering of family and friends to share a meal and fellowship will follow.