Debra Ann Bass

Debra (Swartz) Bass passed peacefully on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, surrounded by love.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia to Solomon and Ethel Swartz, she was raised in Savannah, Georgia and always considered herself a “southern woman.” She was sister to her late brothers, Edward and Allan, and her late sister, Theda Peretsman. She was loved by her many nieces and nephews.

Debra attended Armstrong Junior College in Savannah and the University of Alabama. She worked for General Electric in Cincinnati, Ohio prior to marriage. After that she became a homemaker and mother. Once her children were grown, she travelled with Al on business and vacations, with a favorite destination of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Debra was predeceased by her beloved husband of 59 years, Al. She was loving mother to Mike Bass and his wife Wendy, and to Edie Tonis and her husband Brian. She was the cherished Grammy Debbie to Matthew Tonis and his wife Kaly, Jonathan Tonis, Benjamin Bass, and Caroline Bass. Her pride and love for her family “kept her going.”

Debra will be remembered for her constant smile and good nature. She spent her final years living at Whitney Place in Medway where she lived her best life full of joy.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service at 1:00 PM on Friday, January 9, 2026 at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington Street, Canton. Interment will follow at Mishkan Tefila Memorial Park, 2605 Centre Street, West Roxbury.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Debra may be made to the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism Donations at https://standup.fcas.org