Deborah Anne Grahame - Smith

1955 – 2025

Deborah Grahame-Smith, 70, longtime resident of Bethel, passed away at home on September 30, 2025.

She is survived by her sons, Seth and Liam, her sister Sheryl, nieces Allison, Natasha and Sonya, grandchildren Josh, Nathan, Jacob and Charlotte, and daughter-in-law Erin. In addition to her parents, James and Mildred Williams, she was predeceased by her second husband, Christopher Grahame-Smith.

Deborah had a lifelong passion for writing and literature. As a single mother in her 20s, she changed her last name to Grahame after “liking the way it looked” while studying the British author Kenneth Grahame (The Wind in the Willows) at Rutgers. She enjoyed a long career in publishing, both as an editor and author. She continued to write in her retirement.

Deborah cherished her children and grandchildren above all else, and played an active role in their lives, both in Connecticut and California. She was a funny, friendly free spirit with an artist’s soul. She loved to sing, play the guitar and take photos. Described as “the cool aunt” by her nieces, she loved listening to music and going to concerts, whether it was Paul McCartney, Carole King or Joni Mitchell, (who everyone told her she looked like). She was also an avid Anglophile who kept close tabs on the Royal Family and held onto hope that William and Harry would reconcile. Perhaps her death will be the catalyst that makes them see the error of their ways (she would love that joke).

There will be no calling hours.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am on Friday October 17, 2025, at Saint Mary Church, 26 Dodgingtown Rd., Bethel. Interment will follow in Saint Mary Cemetery, Bethel.

Contributions in Deborah’s memory may be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

To leave a message of condolence for the Grahame-Smith family, please visit www.thegreenfuneralhome.com.