Deborah Hartford Rourke

PORTLAND – Deborah Hartford Rourke, 73, passed away at home on Oct. 11, 2023.

Born in Portland on May 2, 1950, she was the daughter of Joyce Reynolds (Akerley) and Barnie Lee Reynolds of Westbrook. Debbie attended Portland High School and Westbrook College, and married her high school sweetheart, Stephen Rourke, in 1970. A loving wife and mother, she worked as a letter carrier and in real estate before being diagnosed with MS in 1986.

Debbie was blessed with a quick wit, a sense of humor, an infectious giggle, and a smile that lit up the room. She loved children, plants, dogs and cats, and horses. She had a kind heart and an attitude of gratitude.

Debbie is survived by her husband Stephen; and four children, Alexis Brownstein and her husband Louis of South Portland, Chelsea Rourke and her wife Laura Morcom of South Portland, Gabriel Rourke of Yarmouth, and Michael Rourke of Tucson, Ariz.; six grandchildren, Brynne, Shae, Jack, Heath, Garrett, and Hazel; her sister, Pamela Hall and her husband Roger, their son Benjamin and daughter Jocelyn, all of Eugene, Ore.

Private funeral services for the family will be held at a later date.

Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service website, http://www.mainefuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to

Hospice of Southern Maine,

390 US Route One,

Scarborough, ME 04074