Deborah A. O'Toole

Deborah A. O'Toole, 73, Savannah, Georgia - It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Deborah O'Toole of Savannah, Georgia, and previously Rindge, NH. After a brief battle with cancer, she passed away peacefully with her children by her side. 

She was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on January 4, 1952, to the late Albert Rock and Helena (Siulc) Rock. Deborah has fond memories of growing up in Lowell and attending St. Michael School and Lowell High School (class of 1969). After high school, she went on to obtain her BA and M.Ed from UMass Lowell. She also briefly lived in San Francisco, fully embracing the hippie movement and social activism. She and her late husband, Sylvester O’Toole, lived in Rindge for more than 30 years, raising their children in a log cabin in the middle of the woods. 

Deborah, who was known for her outgoing and generous spirit, dedicated many years of her life to teaching English. She had a particular fondness for teaching English as a Second Language, a role in which she found great fulfillment. Over the course of her career, she shared her knowledge and inspired countless students at various institutions of learning, including Franklin Pierce University, Northeastern University, and Savannah Technical College. 

One of Deborah's greatest joys in life was becoming a "Gammy" and spending time with her grandchildren, Owen and Gwen. They enjoyed many outings and weekend trips together, including a recent trip to St. Augustine, Florida, where they had the unforgettable experience of swimming with dolphins. She was the number one fan at Owen and Gwen's school and sporting events and her daily presence in their lives will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her loving children: her son Matthew O'Toole and his wife, Lauren O'Toole of West Palm Beach, Florida; her daughter Mariah Goforth and her husband, Christopher Goforth of Savannah, Georgia; her grandchildren, Owen Goforth and Gwen Goforth; her sister, Alana Brassard and her husband, Richard Brassard; her brother, Robert Rock and his wife, Mary Ellen Davies Rock; her sisters-in-law, Adeline Murphy and Chrissy O’Toole, and many nieces and nephews. 

Family and friends are warmly invited to calling hours, which will be held on Wednesday, April 16, from 10am - 12pm in the Cournoyer Funeral Home, 33 River Street, Jaffrey. Immediately following calling hours a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick Church, 89 Main Street, Jaffrey. 

A celebration of life for her friends in Savannah will be planned at a later date.

In Deb's honor, please take that trip you've been meaning to go on while you still have the health and energy to do so. Deb was grateful she fulfilled lifelong travel goals last year of going to Italy and taking a European River Cruise. She came home with incredible stories of what she had seen and done and of course, souvenirs for the grandkids.