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Ron and Celeste Daniels lit a candle
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
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We were so sorry to learn of Deb's passing. You have our deepest sympathy.
She was a lovely person, so kind, caring, friendly, and welcoming. I /we will surely miss seeing her beautiful face around town. RIP and fly free Debbie.
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Patti Gumlaw posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Ester, Tim, Richard, Michael, Corey, Nicole, and all family,
I am so very shocked to hear this news, My prayers and thoughts are with you all at this time, I spoke to Debbie not too long ago and our conversation was about Bruce and John's passing, and we spoke of the past and the fun we always had together,, So many good memories with her, Always hold those memories close, no matter how hard it is, She lit up a room,,
Love you all and God Bless Patti
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Susan Clark lit a candle
Saturday, December 24, 2022
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Prayers and Hugs To all of the Family especially Esther We firrst met Debbie when she was a teenager always so glad to see her You will never be forgotten Deb
Love Chicken and Susie
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Rick Nolan lit a candle
Saturday, December 24, 2022
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Lawyer and Neverette Family:
So Very Sorry For You Loss. My Thoughts and Prayers are with all of your during this difficult time.
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Shaylen Nolan posted a condolence
Saturday, December 24, 2022
She was a wonderful person and would give anyone anything!! She was always there to help me and love me like my family never did!
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Lori Hutchins (Camire) Jarvis posted a condolence
Saturday, December 24, 2022
I asked Debbie a few months ago if she'd ever read "The Five People You Meet in Heaven." She hadn't. I told her that I thought I might be one of her people and that some day I'd explain it to her. I bought a copy of the book for her, but didn't get the chance to give it to her. I am sorry that I missed the opportunity to tell Debbie what a profound impact I've come to realize that she had on my life and, subsequently the lives of the people I've touched. In the wake of the George Floyd murder, I did a lot of soul searching to try to understand my relationship with racial differences and the lessons I've passed on to my children. I'm proud to say that I celebrate diversity in all it's forms and believe my children, grandchildren and great-grandson all do, too. But attitudes don't develop in a vacuum...life experiences provide contexts. Upon deep reflection I realized that Debbie and her family had provided the ever-present backdrop by which my, otherwise theoritical lessons were "baked in." When I was a girl on the school bus, Debbie had a black boyfriend. I was not put off in any way by that. In fact I thought it was kind of cool, although I did have an unfortunate understanding that others did not. They seemed as "ordinary" to me as any other couple. They were nice, polite and pleasant. Little pitchers have big ears, but I never heard my family or their friends/acquaintances say anything negative. The closest thing to negative that I heard was how hard a relationship like that can unjustly be "in today's society," and perhaps even moreso for any biracial children they might have. Even at my young age, I thought how wrong that was. I also thought that, if given the opportunity to know such people, I would be kind and accepting. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to have black friends in school and they were very nice girls. At home, I wasn't discouraged from having these friendships and they were as welcome in our home as if we had no differences. One of my friends was Kim, who later became Debbie's sister-in-law. Debbie and her boyfriend "stuck" and, a little further into their relationship, moved into an apartment next door to my childhood home, also an apartment, at Betty's Cleaners. Again, their racial difference was an occasional topic of conversation among the people in my life circle. I never heard a bad word said. I knew that wasn't the case in every Keeseville household, and felt that my people were the ones "in the right." Later, they lost their baby and I remember the deep sadness felt by all us neighbors. I heard some old gossiping biddy in a downtown store say it was probably "for the best" and I could not understand how someone could say such a hateful, horrible thing. I again thought I needed to make sure to be nice to people who were different than me. In my teens, I moved away for a few years to a city with racial diversity and I know that my experiences with my two friends, and having these distanced exposures to Debbie's life were positive influences and helped make that experience a good one. Not only was I not put off in any way, I found the opportunities exciting. Fast forward to my return and Debbie, like me, had babies. I was happy to hear their relationship had endured and extra happy that they also had children. We never really knew each other, but began to run into each other on occasion, because her three kids were roughly the ages of my three kids. In fact, for a brief time in high school, my Tina and her Michael were a "couple." This made me happy. I'm not sure if they ever rode the same bus, but I hope so, at least once. I'm not sure if having the relationship was easier for them, but I hope so. I have a biracial grandbaby and she was called the "n word" before she was even born. When she first began to talk she babbled "debbiedebbiedebbie" a lot and we always joked about "who is this Debbie?" I hadn't yet had my revelations, but now I know who she was trying to tell us about! These days she's grown and is proud of her African roots. She is "lightly melanated, hella black." She is also making sure that her son, even more lightly melanated, remains aware and is proud of all his ancestral heritage. That would make him the fourth generation to have been touched by Debbie having been a peripheral part of my life. We hardly ever even spoke. It is amazing, however, the profound impact an "ordinary" life can have on the planet...like dropping a pebble in the water and seeing how many rings are created and how far they spread. When you miss her, think of that. Also, think about how I couldn't have been the only person she affected in this way. Her heart's ability to love who she loved was a powerful thing and that power will continue to resonate through history. She will never really be "gone."
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Ellen Sherman posted a condolence
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Esther,
I’m so very sorry; this is such a sad time for you and your family! Please know you are in the thoughts and prayers of your Monday/Thursday night music friends.
Love, Nell
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Cassie Bombard lit a candle
Friday, December 23, 2022
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Birde O’Halloran posted a condolence
Friday, December 23, 2022
Esther, Tim, and family:
Please accept my most deepest condolences for your loss! Debbie was a good, funny person! Hugs!
Birde
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Cheryl Obert lit a candle
Friday, December 23, 2022
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A Memorial Tree was planted for Deborah Lawyer
Friday, December 23, 2022
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Hamilton Funeral Home Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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The family of Deborah E. Lawyer uploaded a photo
Friday, December 23, 2022
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Penny Baker posted a condolence
Friday, December 23, 2022
I’m so sorry my condolences so sad to here. She always had a smile on her face and loved working at her moms diner and hard worker. Penny baker
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Stacy Doner posted a condolence
Friday, December 23, 2022
R.i.p. Debbie you will be missed fly high with the angels
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Sue Crowningshield posted a condolence
Friday, December 23, 2022
My sincere sympathy to all the family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers
About Us
We are dedicated to maintaining a personal connection to people in the communities we serve, and are committed to providing caring, compassionate, and dignified service.
Peru Location
Hamilton Funeral Home
P.O. Box 570, 294 Mannix Rd.,
Peru, NY 12972
Phone: 518-643-9055
Mooers Location
Hamilton Funeral Home
793 Gilbert Road,
Mooers, NY 12958
Phone: 518-236-4747
Keeseville Location
Hamilton Funeral Home
124 Clinton Street,
Keeseville, NY 12944
Phone: 518-834-7667