Debra May (Lindquist) Lalli, 66

COTUIT – Debra May (Lindquist) Lalli, 66, passed away on Friday, November 8, 2024 surrounded by her loving family and friends. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Colman Lalli of Cotuit. She is also survived by her son Dustin Lalli of Rochester; his son Everest Eagan Bright-Lalli and twins Vada Egan Bright-Lalli and Hunter Egan Bright-Lalli. Debra is also survived by her son Travis Lalli and his wife Sarah of Wareham; their son, Colton Lalli and daughter Braelyn Lalli.

Debra is the daughter of the late Richard and Claire (Hamm) Lindquist. She is survived by three sisters, Donna Holmes and her husband Paul of Riverview, FL, Denise Lindquist of E. Providence, RI, and Deana Lindquist-Grantsis of W. Bridgewater. Debra is also survived by two brothers, David Lindquist and his wife Maureen of Wareham, and Doug Lindquist of W. Bridgewater. Debra is the sister of the late Darren Lindquist. Debra is also survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law John and Francee Brophy and Blaise and Lisa Lalli. She is the aunt of the late Gregory Grantsis and Collen Brophy. She leaves fifteen nieces and nephews and twelve great nieces and nephews. Debra is also survived by life-long friends Ann and David Eldridge, Kathleen (Lynch) Messier and MaryJane Welch.

Debra is a 1976 honor graduate of West Bridgewater Junior/Senior High School earning thirteen varsity letters. She received the award for the highest academic ranking female athlete. She received a field hockey scholarship to Pfeiffer College in North Carolina where she placed in the first-round selection of the Deep South All Star team. While at Pfeiffer, Debra worked as the student director of the college's intramural program. She graduated with honors in 1980 with bachelor's degree in health, and physical education and recreation.

Upon college graduation, Debra spent many years at Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School as a permanent in-school substitute and physical education instructor as well as basketball and softball coaches. She also served as a field hockey referee for many of the leagues. Later, Deb took a job at Paul Dever State School as a qualified mental retardation professional; moving on to become the assistant adult education director and ultimately the director of the Pineview day program. She resigned her position in 1987 to start a family. At that time, she started her career as a tax preparer working for Pelaggi Tax Services and Tax Man. Debra ultimately opened her own tax business, which has existed for over thirty years.

During her child rearing years, Debra spent much of her time in volunteer positions. She served as co-chair of the Project GROW parents group; chairperson of Pack 30 Cub Scouts, and Troop 31 boy Scouts; accountant for Rochester Youth Baseball, secretary for Rochester School Committee and S.P.E.N.A. She also participated in PTO and Great Books. Debra served as co-chair in the funding, development and installation of the Dexter Lane skate park and playground.

Debra worked for the Town of Rochester in the assessor's department for twenty-two years, as clerk, administrative assistant and finally as assessment administrator. She was also an elected assessor for the past 7 years and held state certification as a Massachusetts accredited assessor.

Debra enjoyed being with her family and five young grandchildren. She loved the great outdoors, writing poetry (All Poetry/dml), gardening, travels to Italy and being with her husband on Cape Cod. She possessed a black belt in Filipino martial arts and earned her Tai Chi teacher certification under Turo Vince Jornales.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Wed., Nov. 13, 2024 at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Hwy. (Rt. 28), Wareham from 4 – 7 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thur., Nov. 14, 2024 at Christ the King Parish, 5 Jobs Fishing Road, Mashpee at 10 A.M. Please go directly to church. Interment will follow in Great Neck Woods Cemetery, Mashpee.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Beacon Hospice Care, an Amedisys Company,1060 Falmouth Rd., Suite A, Hyannis, MA 02601. For directions or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com