WILTON, N.H. — Deborah S. Degan was passionate about knitting, singing, and history. Her greatest love, though, was for family and bringing people together.

She died peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. She was 71.

She was born on Sept. 30, 1953, in Schenectady, the daughter of Robert Briggs Whipple and Anne Marie (née Coogan) Whipple.

“Deb grew up in the Helderberg region of New York and attended Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School where she graduated in the class of 1971,” her family wrote in a tribute. “She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1975 from Cornell University, where she continued on and completed a master of education the following year.

“At Cornell, she met her future husband, Mike, with whom she moved to California before settling in New Hampshire, where they began their family together. While raising her four children, Deb worked at a local craft store before opening her own yarn and wool shop, the Woolery, in Wilton, New Hampshire. She was an avid knitter who taught knitting classes and hosted many knitting clubs.

“Deb was a well-known and respected member of her local community. She served as the assistant moderator for the town of Wilton and was a long-time member of the Wilton Lions Club, helping to oversee many charitable projects. She was honored for her commitment and service to the Wilton community as the recipient of the 2023 Citizen of the Year award.

“She was also a devoted member of the Second Congregational Church of Wilton, where she served a number of roles and sang in the choir. She was well-known for her beautiful singing voice and had a great love for music, performing as a member of the Monadnock Chorus for over 25 years.

“Deb also possessed a deep love for the outdoors and served as past president and treasurer for the Deering Lake Improvement Association.

“Deb was an avid traveler. After she and Mike retired, they frequently travelled together throughout the United States and Europe with friends and family. Most recently, she was able to achieve her long-time goal of seeing the Amsterdam Tulip Festival.

“Deb was passionate about history, especially that of her home region in New York, and genealogy. She loved to cook, but above all, she had a great love for her family and for bringing people together.”

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Deborah S. Degan is survived by her husband of 48 years, P. Michael Degan of Wilton, New Hampshire; her sons, Robert Degan and his wife, Melinda, of Wilton, New Hampshire, Clinton Degan of Providence, Rhode Island, and Sean Giordani-Degan and his wife, Flora, of Watertown, Massachusetts; and her daughter, Jennifer Strauss and her husband, Robert, of Temple, New Hampshire.

She is also survived by her brother, Brian Whipple, and his wife, Kathy, of Berne; her sister, Martha Durand, and her husband, John, of Street, Maryland; her grandchildren, Kaylee Degan, Hannah Degan, Charlie Strauss, Eliza Strauss, and Abby Strauss; her close friends, Marilyn and Dennis Warner of Arlington, Vermont, and Ivy Leight of North Hollywood, California; as well as many other close friends and family members.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Second Congregational Church in Wilton, New Hampshire with burial on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 11 a.m. at the High Point Cemetery in Altamont.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Hospice House and Home Health & Hospice Care in Merrimack, New Hampshire.