To live stream the Funeral Mass, go to www.sttheresaparishboston.com.

Sheehan, Deborah (Whalen) of Norwood, Jamaica Plain, and Plymouth went peacefully to God on Saturday July 15, 2023 after a courageous 7+ year battle with brain cancer.  Debby was the beloved wife of 42 years of Andrew Sheehan.

Debby was the sister of Thomas Whalen Jr. and his late wife Anne, Mary Beth (Whalen) and her husband Clifford Flynn, Dennis Whalen and his partner Karen Keough, Joanne (Whalen) and her late husband Donny Lohan and the late and most beloved sister Ann Marie (Whalen) and her husband Kevin McCann.  She was the daughter of the late Claire (Harney) Whalen and the late Thomas Whalen.  She also leaves behind 14 nieces and nephews and 15 great nieces and nephews.

Debby was the light that people are always drawn to as her many, many friends will attest. She listened attentively, protected confidentiality, shared insights, loved unconditionally, and laughed easily. Once Debby met you, she considered you a friend. She and Andy opened their homes in Norwood and Plymouth to friends and family for celebrations as well as shelter, should that be needed. Summers on White Horse Beach in Plymouth were always special and that second home was often overflowing with love, laughter, the smell of sunscreen and more wet towels than one could imagine. And Debby loved every minute of it.

Debby was energetic, selfless, dedicated to helping others and her work and volunteer efforts reflected that. She began her working career at the A&P in Jamaica Plain from the age of 16 through college. She also worked as a waitress at Boston Pops, Ground Round, TK.'s, and then off to teaching at Blessed Sacrament School in Jamaica Plain. She  was a realtor and for 20 years a worker at the family business (Boston Metal Finishing Co.) She found her real calling and passion when she became a certified home health aide and began caring for the elderly who, like everyone else, loved her. Amidst all this work she still found time to do volunteer work and found the work in the prisons especially fulfilling.

Debby will be sorely missed by so many, but her love, laughter and goodness will remain with all who's lives have been touched by her.

Rest in peace, dear Debby.

Funeral from The Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St. West Roxbury on Monday July 24, at 9:00 am. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Theresa of Avila Church, 2078 Centre St. West Roxbury at 10:00 am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours in the funeral home on Sunday July 23, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery.  To live stream Deborah's funeral mass please visit: https://www.sttheresaparishboston.com and click on the Youtube button.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of  Deborah to support brain cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,  P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.  Please write checks to Dana-Farber and include Dr. Reardon's Research Fund in the memo section.

To give online, please visit http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/DeborahSheehan

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Deborah Ann (Whalen) Sheehan, please visit our Tree Store.