Deborah Theresa Hanley

Deborah was a true friend! Hard to keep them...I have known Deb over 40 years...I first met her as a tennis coach. I coached Danvers and she coached Marblehead...We hit it off right away with our competitive teams...
She loved visiting me in the North Shore...sharing when she lived in Salem.
My children Jay & Mindy loved staying with her in Worcester when Jay played racquetball tournaments in Auburn and she would make her chicken...With Annie we had lots of fun.
Deb loved coming to my house in Beverly to go boating...loved the ocean and the beautiful days..
We talked on the phone every few weeks and kept in touch over good and difficult times....
We will miss her so much but realize life was a gift. Her life was always fighting for what she believed in..Her biggest achievement was her daughter Annie-her greatest joy....
She will be always be with us......Love to Annie and love Deb

Per Annie's request, I am including my tribute to Deb that was held at her celebration of life that I wasn't able to attend.

I so wanted to be here today to celebrate Deb’s life, but was not able to change previously made plans. Still, I wanted to share a few thoughts and memories of time spent with Deb.
I met Deb in the late 80’s/early 90’s when she was hired by American Express as the Administrative Assistant. I was a corporate travel consultant. We became fast friends as we had much in common. We shared a love of cooking, reading, crafting, and traveling. Though we were 10 years apart in age, we both came from big families, both graduated from Salem State College, we loved music and theatre, attending concerts and craft fairs, and dining at various ethnic restaurants.
To me, Deb was a free spirit; she was grounded, yet sensitive, funny and oftentimes intense, she was a thinker and a doer. She was creative AND, she brought out the best in me. I, too, am a deep thinker but at that time, didn’t have a way to channel all my deep thoughts. Deb was always changing and growing, learning new things. And, she shared. She introduced me to the works of M. Scott Peck, Bernie Seigel, Deepak Chopra, Steven Covey and the likes; some of these books literally changed the trajectory of my life. With Deb’s support and encouragement, I applied to graduate school to pursue an advanced degree in Counseling Psychology. I obtained that degree and spent the remaining years of my career using the skills though various positions.
Deb and I were blessed to have had the opportunity to travel with our jobs at American Express. Some of our travels took us to Nashville, New York City, Scottsdale, Sante Fe, cruises to the Mexican Riviera, the Greek Islands and Turkey. Every trip we took included a “lunch and learn” where Deb would prepare a meal that was somehow related to our trip and she would come up with highlights on the trip we should check out. These were not your ‘run of the mill’ lunch and learns! Deb didn’t share any expense in the meals and/or presentations. Everything Deb did, she did with enthusiasm and spunk. Deb taught me that Presentation Is Everything and that your dish is only as good as the ingredients you put into it! Words I live by to this day!
Deb also welcomed me into her family. Maryann; I am SO sorry to have missed you today; I have fond memories of our trips together; that torn sweater that you used to wear to bed….do you still have it?? LOL! The condo in NH and Liz, the many places you let us visit during our time off. I remember George and Ann and the laughs we had as well as my time spent with Christine. And Annie, I watched you grow up. I’m sure Deb is SO proud of you!!!
It has been over 20 years since Deb and I communicated. I am regretful about this, but am grateful for having had her in my life; for all she taught me, for guiding me down the right spiritual path, for sharing my joy and despair throughout the years. Deb was a force. Every time I hear the song “For Good” from the musical Wicked, I am reminded of Deb.
“I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you.”
Fly high with the angels, my friend. I love you and will never forget you!

I’m devastated to hear of Deborah’s passing. We worked together in Los Angeles on a few productions, including DeKalb Elementary, which was later nominated for an Oscar. She brought such care, intelligence, and heart to every project, and it was always a better day when she was on set.

Deborah was a lifelong learner with a generous spirit — compassionate, curious, and incredibly kind. Her legacy will live on in the people she touched and the work she helped create. I am glad I knew her. I will miss her, but more importantly, I will never forget her.

Here are two photos of Deborah — one on set for “DeKalb Elementary”, and another from a production in Pasadena in 2014.

I’ve known Debbie Hanley my whole life. What can I say about her? She hated Trump. Life long democrat through and through and not shy about letting you know it. Thank God she lived to see Karen Read be acquitted. Thank god she hasn’t been able to see what 47 has been up to.

But seriously, what an incredible MOM and DAD.

Honestly, my whole life there’s been no me without her. She never let me feel like I was missing out on anything even though she was raising me alone and on welfare.

Being a mom was incredibly important to her- it was her favorite job. I wouldn’t have such a strong sense of self if she hadn’t led by example and allowed me the freedom to be myself while growing up. She encouraged me to do and try any hobbies or interests that appealed to me.

The level of the expectation she had for me was insane, I never felt good enough, both a gift and a curse - but it set me up in life to be someone who holds themself accountable and is relentless in achieving anything I set my mind to. Except weight loss, but that’s in the genes haha.

Exposure early on to the arts thanks to her job at the Centrum’s ticket sales office, instilled in me an appreciation and passion for people, music and cultures that I otherwise would never have encountered at such a young age.

My relationship with Deb, probably like many people here, could be tumultuous at times, but it allowed me to be myself, not be judged (most of the time), and gave me the strength to become an emotionally strong adult.

Considering all her the ups and downs, unlucky in love, she still did the best she could with what she was given. She excelled in anything she did. From mom, chef, artist, jewelry maker, needle point, quilting, crocheting, wood working, musician, para legal, film maker (in which she won the Boston University Holm award for best student film of the year); she did that when she was 60 yrs old and the list goes on!

There is a laundry of examples of Deb’s caretaking and good deeds that I could enumerate but we’d be here all night.
But it is suffice to say that she always showed up for family/ friends when she was really needed and never shied away from taking on big responsibilities when she thought doing so was the right thing to do. Through and through, she was a true caretaker, nurturer and teacher.

Going through this process and seeing everyone show up for me and show their support and long lasting love for Deb has meant so much to me. I appreciate it so much. Even the people here today who haven’t had a relationship with Deb for last couple decades, I am overwhelmed by the love & support.

And isn’t it crazy that Deb is bringing us all back together after all these years?

Dear Debbie,

I Love you. I miss you. I wish I had spent more time with you. I miss your beautiful smile. I miss your honesty.

You were wicked, wicked smart. You taught me to be curious and to open my mind to new subjects and people. You were the most well-read person I ever met, constantly suggesting books to me, none of them trivial or boring, many demanding that I do a deep dive. I still deep dive on a lot of subjects today because of you.

Your standards were high. You never relaxed them. You taught me about quality. Whether it was vitamins or stereo systems or cars, you taught me to seek the best and never compromise. You loved seeing justice served and held your position regardless of controversy; I admire that, and, largely due to you, I do the same today.

You introduced me to SLR photography. I did not have the natural gifts of your photo composition skills and your viewpoint, but I enjoyed taking photos wherever I went. Thanks for that.

Your crafts and photography are world-class, and you created things seemingly effortlessly. I recall a block-carving you did in high school that was amazing; you told me it was not your best work.

I recall sitting with you at your apartment in Salem, watching you grade english papers for your students at Marblehead High School. There I witnessed speed and lots of red ink; standards at work; hopefully shaping a students future.

By far, you did two things in life that far outshine all your other accomplishments. First, you gave birth to Annie “Bunzel” Hanley, my beautiful niece with the infectious smile and super-joyful disposition. We were fortunate to live nearby in Worcester during those days. You and Annie were a team then and throughout life. Annie is amazing and I know that you are wicked proud of her and that you Love her.

Finally, you loved your family. Your loved all your nieces and nephews, and they loved you back. You were an amazing aunt. Through your unselfish gifts of time and love, you cared for our dear sister Christine and for Mom and Dad. Love is an action. Your Love for your family was truly amazing; Thank you so very much.

I hope you are finally at Peace. May God bless you.

Love,

Steve

Best photos I have ever seen that describes one's life in an obituary. Deborah was good to go her family was too back then. Very sorry.

Deb
Was such a wonderful warm lady at SSC. Always smiling and always up for having fun. Sorry to have lost touch with her. My condolences to her family

Had the pleasure of knowing Debbie long ago. She was smart, active, lots of fun too. So sorry.

If God is giving out superlatives, to Debbie Hanley go the awards for:

1) Owner of maximally musical joyful laugh
2) Loving, most devoted Auntie
3) Endlessly artistic, stylish craftswoman
4) Giver of biggest warmest hugs

I love you. I miss you. Thank you for the years of encouragement, teaching, wisdom, and for making Annie-girl. I wish you peace and never-ending beach days. Please check in on Ned from time to time for me.

I still can’t believe my dear friend Deb is no longer with us. Her passing has hurt me so deeply. Her friendship was a blessing in my life. Deb was more than my English tutor, she became my friend, my mentor, my advisor, my guide. She always made me feel appreciated and welcome. I thank God for having met a beautiful human being like Deb, who was always willing to help. I will always miss her.
Siempre estaràs en mi corazón.

Deb was a masterful story teller who could light up the room with her presence. I have a lot of fond memories of Deb from my youth, she was there for me as a kid and young adult when many family members were not. Her passing really makes me regret not staying in touch over the years. Let this be a lesson learned for myself and others. Annie heart broken for you, the world lost a warm, hilarious, and loving soul.

It is with a heavy heart that I learned of the passing of my wonderful friend, Debbie Hanley. She will forever remain in my heart as my soul mate and my fantastic friend. I will miss her smiles and infectious laughter. Sleep in peace my friend and know you will be missed dearly.

Forever missed and forever loved. I will always remember Debs for her warmth, her wry, persistent smile, her infectious giggle, and, of course, her beloved puppies. She was a devoted mother and a relentless learner—curious, kind, and quietly determined. The world feels a little dimmer without her light.