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Debra Anne Gauvin Meinke

Date of Death: December 4, 2023

Date of Birth: August 10, 1952

Biography:

Debra Anne Gauvin Meinke, 71, passed on Monday, December 4th, 2023 at MidCoast Hospital from a stroke.

She was born in Athol, MA on August 20, 1952, the only daughter and first born to Howard J. and Lorraine A. (Duley) Gauvin. She attended Becker Jr. College in Worcester, MA after high school, class of 1970, graduating Gamma Chi Sigma in 1972. She took an executive secretary position at Travelers Insurance Co. in Hartford, CT, using her shorthand and typing skills, a job she truly loved, before the computer age, where she met and married John L. Meinke in 1978. They moved to St. Louis in 1979 and started their family with the birth of two sons in Missouri before returning to the northeast and settling in Trumbull, CT where they lived for 23 years and had their third son.

Maine was always the summer vacation spot for Debra growing up and then with their family, so when it came time to retire in 2006, it had to be in Maine, the place she and John both loved. John passed away from an unknown cancer at the time, seven months after their move to Brunswick.

Debra's biggest joys in her life were her 3 sons, her family in MA, her grandchildren she became blessed with, and getting to live lithe way life should be" in glorious Maine. She also loved hand-writing notes and sending cards to people the old-fashioned way, through the mail. She put many miles on her car to VT, CT and MA visiting those she loved. At home she enjoyed being part of the Loyalty Club women's group in the Brunswick United Methodist Church and truly treasured the girlfriends she had, mainly through a widow's group; lunching, dining, movie going, game playing and laughing a lot! She was also on the Social Committee of the Signature Pines Condo Association where she resided.

She was predeceased by her parents and husband, and leaves behind her boys and families; Ken Meinke, Nicole and Walker in VT; Trevor Meinke, Zariel and Addyson in CT; and Clayton Meinke in Portland, ME. Also her 3 younger Gauvin brothers in MA and their families; Jeff and Deb, Chris and Donna, and Steve, Kelly and special niece, Sydney, one special nephew “Matt-man", who was like a fourth son to her, and other family members. Also, her sister-in-law, Ellen Meinke in West Hartford, CT.

The family will be holding a service and spreading her ashes this summer. Please reach out to Ken, Trevor or Clayton for more info. - I Love you Mom

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