Debra
H. Dessureault, 65, passed on to her next adventure peacefully in the
arms of her loving family in the early morning of May 31, 2025, after
a sudden infection resulted in sepis.
She
was born Debra Ann Highter to Marie (Kaufman) and Robert Highter in
Middlebury, Vt., on a cold, 7-degree March 3 day in 1960. The
couple’s sixth, Deb grew up alongside her four older brothers and
sister (♪Ron, Jer, Ray,
Al, Don(na), Deb♪) on
the 250 acres of idyllic family farm at the end of East Munger
Street, a dead-end dirt road developed by her paternal grandparents.
She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Middlebury and excelled
at school while holding her sweet demeanor even under the strict
tutelage of the sisters. In her youth, she loved playing piano,
skiing, and biking to town for tennis or to her grandparents’ camps
on Lake Dunmore to water-ski. A kind soul, Deb was one to help her
grandfather recover his speech after his stroke, talking alone on the
rock wall. She had fond memories of driving her father’s El Camino
and other cars with her brothers on the “field car” racetrack at
the farm. Her father’s sudden passing when she was 14 left a hole
in her life, filled with her mother’s strength and the unity of her
siblings. Deb’s best friend was her mother, Marie, with whom she
found joy in crafts and classes at Frog Hollow and helping with her
bed-and-breakfast up until Marie’s passing.
She
met Rich Dessureault of Addison, Vt., in high school, began dating in
1979, married in summer 1983 at St. Mary’s and honeymooned in the
Bahamas. They bought a log cabin on Belden Falls Road in New Haven,
Vt., where they built a home and life, moving in 1998 across town to
build a new homestead. Deb attended college in Miami and returned to
manage Ski Haus in Middlebury/Winooski until the birth of her son,
when she transferred into a part-time position at the Vergennes Post
Office to have more time for home learning. She transitioned later to
a full-time, 55-mile route through farmland and along the shores of
Lake Champlain. Deb enjoyed visiting with her customers and
maintaining wellness checks on the elderly and received mountains of
baked goods and gifts every Christmas. A union member early in her
career, she became her office’s adviser for employee rights and
company policy. She never pursued offers for postmaster, feeling she
was better fit for the peace of the road rather than what became the
“top-heavy” nature of the USPS. She retired in 2022 after 32
years.
She
was happiest on the porch around her flowers, reading (especially K.
Follett) in the rocking chair and watching wildlife, or swimming in
warm turquoise waters under the sun (apt, with aquamarine being her
birthstone and favorite color). She adored sharing these moments with
family, surprising us all with a trip to the Cayman Islands that
landed on a January freeze some years ago, one we cherish as perfect.
She had a love of the Florida Keys, the Maine coast every summer, and
locally, on a hot day, she’d drop plans and announce, “We’re
going to Branbury.”
She
eschewed traditional programming, save for “Downton Abbey” and
many YouTube creators she donated to. Topping her list of
recommendations lately would be ItchyBoots (solo female world
motorcyclist), global homesteaders/sailers and many AT/PCT hikers
(something she’ll be doing in the next life). Proud of people for
being themselves, whomever that may be, she was always an early
adopter and incredibly well informed, while maintaining lifelong
curiosity. She was fascinated with the dream of becoming
multi-planetary and still smiled bright at the simple things: a good
sunset, rescuing baby bunnies or helping turtles cross the road.
Cooking
large, amazing meals for her family led to her house being the
“hangout” for her children’s friends growing up, something she
adored, making sure everyone was well fed and left with treats. She
was always able to truly laugh and joke at a situation, no matter how
dire, up until the end. She’d rise early, while also being the best
kind of night owl: 10 p.m., hop in the RHD Jeep and buzz up to
Bristol for a pint of ice cream, then talk about life while watching
a Tragically Hip, Grace Potter, Stones or Billy Strings concert. When
returning late, you knew she would be reading on the love seat, cozy
with a cat on her lap, truly excited to ask about your day over a cup
of tea.
In
2024 she was diagnosed with lymphoma and Graves’ disease. A true
trooper, and against the odds, she managed the Graves’ and beat the
cancer. Always keeping a positive attitude, she befriended all those
that helped her in this time.
She
is survived by her children, Dylan (Christine, her loving close
friend) of California and Vermont, and loving daughter Sierra of
Vermont; husband of 42 years, Rich, of New Haven; brothers, Ron (Mary
Anne), Jer (Annapurna), Ray and Al (Madeline); sister, Donna Audet
(Rene); wonderful aunt Betty Thines, age 107, of Morrilton, Ark;
numerous amazing cousins, nieces, nephews and friends; and cats
Boone, Beau and Clay.
She
is predeceased by her father (1975); mother (2009); beloved cats
Sasha, Pumpkin, Sly, Spz, Jag and Tang; and Dylan and Christine’s
dachshund, Stubz, whom she missed and loved dearly.
Deb
and her family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone
from Miller 5 at the University of Vermont Medical Center, especially
the love of Jessica Hansen NP and Michele Racine RN, our daily ally
(and florist). A special thank-you to Dr. Andrew Hale I.D. for his
steadfast expertise and kindness. Services will be held on Saturday,
June 21, 10 a.m., at St. Mary’s Church in Middlebury, with a
reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to
Addison County Humane Society or by paying it forward to the next
person in need. She was cool without trying, smart, funny, caring
always and kind by nature. Too sweet for this world and gone too
soon. We will love you always. God bless you, Mom. Big hug.