Deborah Lynn Buteau

Deborah "Debbie" Lynn Buteau of Melrose, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2025, at the age of 56, surrounded by her loving family, following complications from a rare cancer.

Born on August 25, 1969, in La Jolla, California, Debbie moved with her family to Lexington, Massachusetts, at the age of seven.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 21 years, Christopher Buteau; their loving daughter, Jami Buteau; and their cat, Riley. She is also survived by her mother, Rita Sacks; her sister, Renee Sacks (husband Tim Smith) and niece, Julia; and her brother, Sam Sacks (partner Kristen Darlington). Debbie was predeceased by her father, Jerome Sacks. She is also survived by her parents-in-law, Greg and Betty Buteau; her sisters-in-law, Josie and Rachael, and their families.

Debbie graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1991 with a B.A. in Communications.

She had a successful career in marketing, including positions as a Senior R&D Compliance Analyst at GlaxoSmithKline and as an Enterprise Community Manager at Harvard Pilgrim, where she worked for over a decade. Later, she started an online business reselling clothing, which she took great pride in.

Debbie will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and gentle spirit. She was courageous and brave, and had a deep love for her family. Her daughter was the center of her life. She also cherished many lifelong friendships from Lexington High School and her neighborhood in Melrose.

A Funeral Service will be held for Deborah on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 11:00 am, at Temple Shir Tikvah, 34 Vine St., Winchester, MA, followed by Burial at Westview Cemetery, 520 Bedford St., Lexington, MA. If you are unable to attend the services in person, the services will be available via livestream.

Shiva will take place following the burial at the home of Sharon Timberlake.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation

https://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/