Deborah F. (Crowell) Franzen

November 13th, 1953 - November 21st, 2015

Deborah F. (Crowell) Franzen, 62 of Abington, MA, passed away suddenly on November 21st, 2015 at home. She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Russell. Together they had two children, Brian Franzen and his wife Mary of Whitman, and Sarah Franzen of Abington. She was a loving Nana to her grandson Richard.

She was the daughter of the late William and Mary Jane (Fielding) Crowell. She was born November 13th, 1953 in Waukegan, IL. With both of her parents in the Navy, she traveled quite frequently while growing up. She spent some time living in California and Guam while her father was stationed there.

She moved back to Rockland in the late 1960’s and completed high school in 1971. She and Russell were married on October 12th, 1975. She earned her Associate’s degree in Nursing at Massasoit Community College in 1977 and went on to work as a nurse at South Shore Nursing and the former Mildred Aldred Nursing home before becoming a school nurse for the town of Rockland in 1988.

She started as a substitute nurse, and became full time, first at Esten Elementary School, and later at Memorial Park Elementary School. She was with the school system for 27 years before retiring in 2015.

She was very active as a Girl Scout leader in the 80’s and 90’s while her daughter was an active participant. She was also an avid cake decorator; making several wedding, baby shower, and birthday cakes for friends and family throughout the years.

Memorial donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a cause very close to her heart. www.jdrf.org