Debra L. Travers

Debra L. (McCarthy) Travers, 67, of Fairhaven, passed away after a long and courageous battle following a double lung transplant on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. She was the beloved wife and soul-mate of Richard Travers, with whom she shared 38 years of marriage.

Born in Saugus, MA, she was the daughter of the late Joan (Zavaglia) Lemos and was a lifelong resident of the SouthCoast having lived in both new Bedford and Fairhaven.

Debra was a graduate of Fairhaven High School. She worked at the Registry of Motor vehicles in New Bedford for many years. She was promoted to Purchaser for the registry in Boston. After her time at the registry, she secured the position of Purchasing Director for the City of New Bedford under both Mayor Scott Lang and retired after Mayor Mitchell’s first term. She enjoyed reading, bowling, music and dancing. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. A woman who did everything for her family and grandchildren without question. Deb was a fearless person with a heart of gold who loved and cherished her family and friends. She’ll be deeply missed and remembered fondly by everyone she touched in her life.

In addition to her husband, Richard, she is survived by her loving children, Jennifer Nava and her husband David of Fairhaven, Edward Oliveira III and his wife Wendy of RI, Erin Lopes and her husband Helder of New Bedford, and Sarah Levesque and her partner Jarrad of RI; 7 grandchildren Ashleigh, Bryan, Bailey, Jayce, Kyleigh, Jackson, Lily, Elena, and Abigail; 2 great-grandchildren, Grayson and Brynnleigh; 6 siblings, Gordon, Wayne, Kathy, Joann, Kelly, and Tony; her best friend, Lucy and husband Lenny Sameiro of Acushnet, and many nieces and nephews.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 9:00am from the ROCK FUNERAL HOME, followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Gabriel of the Archangel Parish, 343 Tarkiln Hill Rd. New Bedford. Burial in River-Side Cemetery in Fairhaven. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 from 5:00 to 8:00pm in the ROCK FUNERAL HOME, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, MA 02745.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to support The Lung Transplant Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Checks can be made payable to Brigham and Women’s Hospital with “in memory of *Debra Travers-Lung Transplant Recipient* in the memo line and sent to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Development Office, 263 Huntington Avenue, #318, Boston, MA 02115-4506 or you may visit www.bwhgiving.org/memorial to make your gift online.

For on-line tributes, please visit our website at www.rock-funeralhome.com