Hearts fell heavy at CHA the past weekend when our beloved Deborah Montgomery slipped away. Resident, Community Health Worker, friend, supporter of all. The most positive force in the community we have had. Debbie was all that and much more. Gatherer of and teacher to our children, connector to services for senior citizens, voting educator and advocate. Frank talker -- always in a polite and respectful way. You could have a conversation or debate with Debbie without fear. It usually included laughter. A loud, bellowing laugh was her signature; infectious and heard from a distance. You always knew Deb was in the house -- or in the area -- because of that laugh. Her words would be genuine and sometimes conger up tears. She was real.

Friday night kids program, A-NU-ME exercise classes for 10 years, driving seniors to shopping and doctors. Getting food from the Bennett Farm to seniors and others who couldn’t get out. She understood the concept of community health. She turned her own health consciousness into a model for others. Her home at the Penn is its own little Botanical Gardens. She brought young and old together. Annual visits to Longwood Gardens and the UniverSoul Circus were looked forward to by all.

When I go around, there is no one am I asked about more. Just last week, a resident approached me to mention she hadn’t seen “Miss Debbie” in a while. I said she’d been sick and promised to relay the woman’s heartfelt thoughts. I’ll never get to relay those expressions of love. “Peace” is what Debbie would say at the close of every encounter. Peace, Debbie.