OLD TOWN and DIXMONT – Deborah “Debbie” M. (Conroy) Bryant, 60, died Aug. 18, 2011, surrounded by her family and beloved pets at home, after a long and brave battle from complications of a leg injury sustained while rescuing a turtle. She was born Nov. 14, 1950, in Old Town, to Francis E. and Mari-Ange (Michaud) Conroy.
Debbie graduated from Old Town High School, class of 1969, and in 1972 began a law enforcement career after graduating from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy; this was the first class with female cadets. In 1980 she married Fred Bryant and shortly after began a second career as a private investigator. She also had a lifelong love for wild animal rehabilitation and founded Animal House Rehab. She was a trustee, secretary and treasurer of Hirundo Wildlife Refuge.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, William Conroy; and by close extended family members, Paul and Shirley Caron. Surviving in addition to her husband, Fred Bryant, are her daughters, Tere Bryant-Gomez and her husband, Felipe Gomez, of Tucson, Ariz., Michelle Bryant of Bangor, Jennifer Bryant of Holden and Valerie Bryant of Bangor; four grandchildren, Mallory Hill and her husband, Alex, of Bangor, Jordan Bryant of Bangor, Kayla Bryant of Bangor and Sydnee Blouin of Bangor; a great-grandson, Gavin Hill of Bangor; siblings, Frances Redford and her husband, John, of Newport, Christine King of Bradley, Michelle Pelletier and her husband, Gary, of Eddington, Jacqueline Langlais of Old Town, Edward Conroy and his wife, Jane, of Dover-Foxcroft and Elizabeth McClaren and her husband, Sam, of Clarksville, Tenn.; many nieces, nephews and close friends.
The family invites relatives and friends to a memorial reception 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor, to share stories, photos and memories. Those who wish to remember Debbie in a special way may make a gift in her memory to Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, 15 Hudson Road, Alton ME 04468. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.