Donate in Memory of Debra A. Champagne

Obituary: Debra A. Champagne

Published February, 2018

Debra A. Champagne, age 59, July 17, 1958- February 2, 2018

Debra A. Champagne, age 59, of Kingston, NH passed away on February 2, 2018 at home, surrounded by loved ones. She fought a valiant battle with ALS, which finally took her life.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Kenneth L. West, daughter Kathleen E. Knight of Methuen, MA, son Alexander S. Knight and grandson Liam Knight of Dover, NH, stepdaughter Valerie West of Kennebunk, ME, stepson Kenneth West of Kennebunk, ME, mother Judith Champagne of Methuen, MA, sister Doreen Kibildis of Kingston, NH, sister Veronica Champagne of Haverhill, MA, and sister Dianne Bishop of Deerfield Beach, FL, and many other loving relatives. Debbie graduated from Haverhill High School and went on to get her degree at Mount Ida College and later attended Merrimack College. She worked in the field of accounting, most recently as the Town Accountant of Bedford, MA. Debbie enjoyed sharing stories of her experiences from all over, especially of her travels. She took great pleasure in sharing the most noteworthy moments of her life with the people she cared about most. She enjoyed her kayaking trips and the beautiful views from what she affectionately referred to as her “cottage on the lake,” which resembles the serene landscapes from the Thomas Kinkade paintings she loved so much. Nothing brought Debbie more joy than spending time with her family, being goofy and often laughing so hard she would begin snorting. She enjoyed trips to Patriots games and Red Sox games for spring training, home, and away games. Debbie also loved kayaking, hiking, and cross country skiing. She looked forward to wintertime, when she would enjoy spending time at the Ski Wheelers Ski Club in North Conway. She was an avid reader from a young age, and always had at least one book going at a time. Debbie loved going out on the lobster boat with Ken. She relished lobster season, because each week she would enjoy a meal of lobster fresh off the boat– whether she wanted it or not. Gardening was also a passion of Debbie’s. She took great pride in the many flower beds surrounding the house that she tended to. Debbie took her diagnosis in stride, and focused on family and friends– many of whom visited regularly over the last few months of her life. She wanted to be on this Earth with her loved ones for as long as she could to enjoy her grandson and all those who adored her.

A celebration of Debbie’s life will be held Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the Stockbridge Funeral Home at 141 Epping Road in Exeter, NH. Family and friends will be received from 12-1pm and the celebration of life will be from 1-2pm. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that any donations in Debbie’s memory be made to Compassionate Care ALS at P.O. Box 1052 West Falmouth, MA, or ccals.org