MACHAIS – Deborah G. Wood, left the world she loved June 16, 2010, surrounded by loved ones, relatives and friends at her bedside after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Debby was born Nov. 18, 1951, in Bar Harbor, the daughter of Maurice and Suzanne Googins of Lamoine. Debby graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1970 and received her master’s degree in education from the University of Maine, Orono. Debby, a longtime educator and administrator began her teaching career in Ellsworth after receiving a degree in special education from the University of Maine, Orono. Her teaching career were as follows: teacher for Bryant E. Moore School, Ellsworth; teacher for Union No. 102, Machias; director of special education for SAD No. 77, East Machias; distinguished educator evaluation team for Department of Education, Augusta; principal for Edmunds Consolidated School, Edmunds; and principal for Kingman Elementary School, Kingman. She was also a real estate associate with Remax Associates, Machias; and co-owner of 3 J’s Antique Shop, Easton. Debby was a well respected, tireless worker in the educational field. She loved her students, with her greatest joy coming from the 100s of students who have achieved their own goals in life thanks to her guidance and leadership skills. Debby also loved traveling, sewing, working on home improvement projects, and was an avid Red Sox fan. Most of all she loved her family and truly had an understanding of what family really was all about. Jamie, Jodie and Jordan were the love and magic of her life. The newest members of her family: granddaughter, Savannah; and son-in-law, Mike, were also true focal points of her love. Debby will remain a permanent fixture in the Wood/Googins family tradition of loving life to the fullest. She is survived by her beloved husband of 38 years, Donald “Buddy” Wood of Machias; daughters, Jamie D. Wood of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Jodie M. Fairbank of Fort Meade, Md., and Jordan N.W. Burdge of Oak Grove, Ky.; granddaughter, Savannah N. Fairbank of Fort Meade, Md.; son-in-law, Mike Burdge of Oak Grove, Ky.; brother, Gary Googins and his partner, Denise Barbieri, of Ellsworth; sister, Lori Googins and her husband, Francis Theraiult, of Mapleton; along with several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her grandparents, Thomas and Bertha Holmes, and Maurice Sr. and Effie Googins; and parents-in-law, Colby and Kay Wood. Family and friends are invited to call 5-8 p.m. Monday, June 21, at Bragdon-Kelly Funeral Home, 220 Court St., Machias. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, at Machias Valley Baptist Church, 6 Broadway St., Machias. A celebration of Debby’s life will be after the service at Elm Street School, 38 Jacksonville Road, East Machias. Family and friends may offer their condolences to Wood family by visiting www.bragdonkelley.com.
DEBORAH G. WOOD
