Deborah B. Fletcher

MARBLEHEAD - On September 20th, 2025, Deborah B. Fletcher of Marblehead made a graceful exit from a magnificent life that had recently been slowed by illness. She passed away peacefully at home from complications related to metastatic lung cancer.

Deborah Ewing Bassin was born August 23, 1941 in New Haven, Connecticut, to Dr. Alexander and Mildred (Zinn) Bassin. She graduated from the Prospect Hill School in 1959, and Hollins College in 1963. As a young woman she worked for Standish Ayre and the Boston Floating Hospital for Children. During this time she met her future husband, John Fletcher, and shifted her focus to raising their family. For 53 years she was married to her best friend with whom she had two children and countless amazing adventures. As a couple they enjoyed great food, wine, art, and a shared passion for travel to unusual international destinations in Asia, Africa, and beyond.

Through the years Debby dedicated herself to a wide range of passions. Her family came first - she was a remarkable mother and grandmother who rarely missed a birthday, school event, or game if her kids or grandkids were involved. She actively contributed to causes she believed helped others and advocated for those in need by volunteering at the Marblehead Community Counseling Center and then at H.A.W.C., where she ran a support group and served as a paid legal advocate in the court system. She was especially accomplished as a competitive tennis player. A fierce but fair competitor, she swung a racquet for clubs throughout the North Shore several times each week for over forty years. Her partners and teammates became close friends.

Debby was highly curious and motivated to explore with her own unique style and sense of whimsy. She searched tirelessly for the most thoughtful and fun gifts and was the world’s greatest holiday stocking stuffer. When not playing or watching tennis, Debby was gardening, sharing time with her weekly coffee group, attending a movie, play, or museum exhibition, reading fiction, doing puzzles, or tending to her cats. She knew how to throw the perfect blank stare to spice up a family photo and was so deeply thankful for her friends, near and far, who increasingly sustained her positive spirit over the past few difficult years after John died.

Debby is survived by her children, Jennifer (Tony) Cipriano of Falls Church, VA, and Matthew (Danielle) Fletcher of Marblehead, five grandchildren, Olivia and Emilia Cipriano and Addison, Paige, and Quentin Fletcher, her sister, Judith Peknik, niece Susan Feuer, and nephew Andrew Feuer.

Wherever she is, Debby is in business class, traveling light, holding a cat, laughing with John, and shocking a new acquaintance with a colorful story from her early days.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date. If you wish to honor Debby’s memory with a donation, please consider supporting the Mass General Cancer Center, H.A.W.C. in Salem, MA, or the animal shelter of your choice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for Debby's family.