Reidsville, N.C. —
Debbie was a graduate of the Medical Technology Program and the Secondary Education Program-Science at the University of South Florida. She had lived for many years in St. Petersburg, Fla., where she worked as a Medical Technologist and as a Veterinarian Technician at the Animal Emergency Clinic.
Debbie attended The Master School and later Hanover High School from which she graduated in 1971. From the early 1970’s through 1980’s and even for some years afterwards, she was a riding instructor and horse trainer at the Vershire Riding School in Vershire, Vt., as well as at The Fulmer International School of Equitation in England. She also competed in dressage and cross-country eventing with great success. Her skill with and love of horses was highly respected. Deb had numerous life-long friendships among those she knew in Vershire and Fulmer. In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Debbie and her husband, Michael, operated Antiquity Gardens in Newport, N.H. Deb also studied Reiki in the area and developed numerous friendships there before relocating to North Carolina. While in North Carolina, Deb continued to care for her aging mother in her later years, and also worked as an advocate for animal rescue, a realtor, teacher and medical technologist.
Debbie was predeceased by her mother, Lucille Nichols; her father, Kieran J. Hackett, II; and by her two brothers, Kieran J. Hackett, III and Richard Blake Hackett (formerly of Woodstock). She is survived by her husband, Michael Maine, her two sisters, Margaret Newhall and Mary Sokol, her four dogs and three cats and by numerous nephews and nieces.
Debbie was a true lover of animals, a gentle and kind soul who was loved dearly by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to: The Hospice of Rockingham County, 2150 Hwy 65, Reidsville, NC 27320. http://www.hospiceofrockinghamcounty.com/supporting-hospice/donate-now/