Deborah F. D'Alelio

Deborah Frances (Gourley) D’Alelio, fondly known as Debbie or ‘Dee’, a native of Marblehead, MA, passed away on January 19, 2022 at Mass. General Hospital after a short battle with undiagnosed esophageal cancer. She was the daughter of the late Donald Fletcher Gourley, a Captain of the United States Army and Dorothea ‘Doris’ (Coffey) Gourley. She was the wife of the late Amedeo D’Alelio, of 35 years. She leaves behind her beloved two children, Emma and Amedeo D’Alelio and her sister Susan Gourley, along with many lifelong friends.

While attending Star of the Sea Catholic school in Marblehead, she met some of her closest friends to this day. She soon attended Essex Agricultural Technical school where she learned to hone her skills for her love of horticulture.

Debbie spent her young adulthood working tirelessly at a law office in Boston. She spent her free time enjoying traveling with her sister, Susan, and spending her days with her lifelong friends whom she adored and carried with her fond memories all through her life.

While working at a local restaurant she met the love of her life, Amedeo. Upon first sight she knew (and said) that they would be married. Which is exactly what happened in August of 1986. Shortly thereafter, she and Amedeo welcomed their first child, Emma Francesca.

Once settled into the role of motherhood, she took her love of caring for others to the workplace becoming a home visiting nurse. Her patients became an extended family who she loved as if they were her own. In 1992, she gave birth to her son, Amedeo Giovanni, giving her the opportunity to share her love and complete the family.

Debbie was loved by all who met her. She truly had a heart of gold. She would help anyone in need. As her children grew, she naturally became a surrogate mother to all their friends. She welcomed everyone with open arms and built a home that was a sanctuary for all including any and all animals that would magically appear at her doorstep! So many animals-cats,dogs, birds,hamsters and every abandoned unwanted Siamese fighting fish on the North Shore! Everyone knew she would be there for you in your time of need or happiness - even just to lend an ear. Her love and empathy for people will always be remembered and cherished by so many.

On August 29th, she and her loving husband, Amedeo were able to share their 35th wedding anniversary together, at home, with one another. Devastatingly, two days later Amedeo lost his long battle with cancer. Their children find solace in knowing that their parents are together once again.

All who had the blessing of having Debbie in their lives can attest to how special and rare it is to find a person with such a genuine heart and soul. She is already dearly missed.

Her children, Emma and Amedeo G., along with her sister Susan, wish to extend an invitation to gather at Eustis and Cornell Funeral Home in Marblehead, on Thursday April 7, 2022 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. to celebrate the lives of both Debbie and Amedeo.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for the D'Alelio family.