Mary E. “Betty” (McDonald) Debski, 89, of 63 Proctor St. died peacefully at home on Friday. She was the wife of the late John E. Debski, with whom she shared 40 years of marriage.
Born to the late Mildred F. and Alexander T. McDonald, she was a lifelong resident of Salem. In her youth, Betty was an accomplished violinist with the Salem Fraternity Orchestra. Upon graduation from Salem High School, Betty was awarded one of few scholarships to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where she continued her violin studies. Betty was a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Peabody. One of Betty’s favorite activities was travelling, especially her frequent trips to Disney World with her family.
She is survived by her seven children, John A. and his wife Debra of Beverly, Thomas E. of California, Mary C. her caregiver of Salem, Nancy E. Farragher and her husband Peter of Maine, Richard P. and his wife Linda of Delaware, Kathleen L. Flynn and her husband Paul of Georgetown, and Paul E. and his wife Elizabeth of Salem. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren Scott, Erica, John, Jessica, Meghan and Alex Debski and Amanda and Ryan Flynn.
Her funeral service will be held on Monday, December 24, 2012, at 10 am from the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 am at the St. Thomas The Apostle Church, North St. Salem, Rte 114 at the Peabody line. Visiting hours are Sunday, 3-7 pm. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Burial is in St. Mary Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cerebral Palsy Association of Eastern Massachusetts, 103 Johnson St. Lynn, MA 01902. For on line guest book, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.