AUGUSTA – Deborah Brooks Raymond, 70, passed away on Sept. 9, 2024, at MaineGeneral Rehabilitation & Long-Term Care at Glenridge in Augusta.

She was born in Bangor on Nov. 24, 1953, the daughter of Ralph Joseph and Marilyn Elizabeth (Mosley) Brooks. She attended Nokomis High School in Newport, graduating in 1972, and then studied Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Maine and the University of Arizona, graduating from Arizona in 1976. Deborah also received her C.R.C. from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, which she proudly upheld throughout her long and successful career as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Deborah truly had a passion for her work and for her clients. She would work first for the State of Maine, then for various other organizations and for herself, owning her own business, Riverside Vocational Resources. Deb returned to the State of Maine in 2014, from which she retired in 2018.

Deborah married the love of her life, David Dennis Raymond, on Feb. 8, 1986. They settled in Augusta where they had and raised their daughter, Kathryn Rachael Raymond, and together owned Riverside Distributors, a successful wholesale food distribution business, for more than 20 years.

Deborah was also a proud member of both the Masonic family, and The American Legion family. In high school, she served as Grand Religion for the Maine Chapter of the International Order of the Rainbow Girls, and went on to maintain her membership, under her father, in the Nokomis Chapter #42 of the Order of the Eastern Star for the rest of her life.

Deborah was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, joining under the WWII military service of her father, Ralph, and eventually also honoring the military service of her husband, David. Deb belonged to the Barrows-Skidgel Unit #105 of the American Legion Auxiliary, in Newport, where she served as their Unit President. She would go on to serve the Department of Maine in various Chairmanships and Offices before serving as the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Maine President from 1985-1986, at which time the members of Unit #105 gifted her with a lifetime (P.U.F.L.) membership, a gift she would cherish for the rest of her life. Deborah would continue her dedicated service to the American Legion Auxiliary, serving on various committees, and offering both friendship and mentorship to many. The American Legion family has truly been her family.

Deborah was predeceased by her parents, many much-loved aunts and uncles, and a few close friends. She is survived by her husband, David Dennis Raymond; her daughter Kathryn Rachael Raymond, her half-brother Donald Brooks, and many loving cousins. She will be missed by many.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta. A celebration of Deborah’s life will be held at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Deborah’s interment will take place the following day, Sept. 19, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mount Vernon Rd, Augusta.

The family wishes to especially thank Andrew Twaite, FNP, and Drs. Rebecca Spear and JoAnn Wang for the excellent and compassionate care provided to Deborah during this journey, as well as several members of the staff at Glenridge for the love and care shown, you know who you are.

Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Care, One Church St., Augusta, where memories, condolences and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made in Deborah’s memory to:

American Legion Auxiliary

Department of Maine

5 Verti Drive Suite B

Winslow, ME 04901

for projects benefiting

the wellbeing of

Maine’s veterans