Deborah Wilkey
"Loving Mother and Grandmother"
LOWELL Deborah Ann (Fleming) Wilkey, 57, a lifelong Lowell resident, died Thursday, May 2, 2013, at Lahey Clinic after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her loving family.
A daughter of the late Dorothea A. (O’Brien) Fleming, she was born July 25, 1955, in Lowell. She graduated from Lowell High School, Class of 1973, and attended Fitchburg State College. She made her home in the Highlands Section of the City and was a communicant of St. Margaret Church. For over thirty years, she worked in the banking industry, most recently as a commercial lending assistant at Enterprise Bank in Westford.
Debbie was an unbelievably loving mother who always put her children first. She was so proud of her three kids. Watching Dave and John, her two sons, become fathers to two gorgeous daughters was the greatest moment in her life; she adored spending time with her granddaughters. She and her daughter, Sarah, were best friends and spent time shopping, baking, and always laughing. Debbie brought a smile to everyone she encountered. She had an uncanny ability to connect with people and forge lifelong friendships. A selfless woman, she spent her entire life spreading joy and laughter to others. She also loved being at her beach house and hosting the infamous “Wilkey Family” parties. Debbie never let anything discourage her or slow her down. She embodied what it meant to truly live and cherish life. She leaves us with a message to always find a reason to dance, to surround ourselves with people who make us happy, and above all, to persevere. She was truly a beautiful soul who will be missed by many.
She is survived by her children, John F. Wilkey and his wife, Allison, of Dracut, David C. Wilkey and his wife, Kelly, of Lowell, and Sarah E. Wilkey of Lowell; their father, Jack F. Wilkey, her husband of thirty six years; her beloved granddaughters, Elaina Wilkey of Lowell and Ava Wilkey of Dracut; her brother, Kevin S. Fleming and his wife, Gaetane, of Dracut; her sister, Margaret ‘Meg’ Brice and her husband, Joseph, of Chelmsford; her dear friend, Debbie Muldoon of Tewksbury; and loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HER CALLING HOURS 3 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON SUNDAY, MAY 5. ON MONDAY, HER FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 8:30 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HER FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. MARGARET CHURCH, 374 STEVENS ST, LOWELL AT 9:30 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. PATRICK CEMETERY
