FALL RIVER… Deborah A. (Carignan) Eckersley, 50, of Fall River passed away March 9, 2014 at St. Anne’s Hospital following a long illness.
She was the wife of James M. Eckersley of Fall River, to whom she was married for over 30 years.
Born in Fall River, she was a daughter of Bernadette (Deschene) Carignan of Fall River and the late Arthur Carignan and had been a lifelong resident of this city.
Mrs. Eckersley was a graduate of Bishop Connolly High School and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She was a dedicated teacher in the Fall River school system for over 22 years and had a part time job working at a local law firm until last year. She was a camping enthusiast, loved doing jigsaw puzzles, participating in family events, being with friends, traveling and loved life in general.
Deborah fought her illness bravely and was always optimistic and cheerful. She never gave up and kept working at her job until just recently, in spite of the hardships she had to endure. She will be missed by the family and friends she leaves behind, but she will always be remembered as the wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend she was to each of us.
Along with her husband and mother, survivors include her son: Nathan Eckersley of Fall River, the other love of her life, her cat: Puddles, 3 brothers: Dennis Carignan of New Bedford, Donald Carignan of Fall River, Daniel Carignan of Hastings, FL, and several nieces and nephews. She was sister of the late Theresa Rogers.
Memorial Service to which relatives and friends are invited will be held Sunday, March 23, 2014 at 5 PM at SOUTH COAST FUNERAL HOME, 1555 Pleasant St. Fall River. Memorial visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 5 PM prior to the service. Please omit flowers; donations in Deborah’s name may be made to the Letourneau Elementary School, 232 Anthony St. Fall River, MA 02721.