Obituary of Eleanor M. DeBye

Eleanor M. (Joyce) DeBye, the Matriarch of the DeBye family, passed away at Atris Senior Living in Reading on Saturday afternoon, June 17, 2023.  The beloved wife of the late Paul J. DeBye, she had just celebrated her 94th birthday.

Eleanor was born in Boston.  She was raised and educated in Cambridge.  She was the oldest of 10 children born to the late David and Alice Joyce.  Eleanor loved growing up in a large family and had a close relationship with her sisters and other siblings  throughout her life.  After high school Eleanor worked at New England Telephone as an Observation Operator.   Eleanor married Paul DeBye on June 12, 1948.  They had known each other since they were young, growing up in the same neighborhood.  They lived in Cambridge, eventually settling in Burlington in the 1960’s where they would raise their six children.

Eleanor was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest child, Jody, went to school. She then returned to work at the Telephone Company.   In 1968 Eleanor and Paul purchased a small home in Falmouth where the family could enjoy summer vacations.   As the family got larger, Paul being handy with construction, made the home even larger.  Lots of wonderful family memories were made in Falmouth, a town that is still very special to many members of the DeBye family.  

Eleanor had many interests and hobbies.  She was a staunch Democrat and kept up to date on all the current events relative to politics.  She always had her pulse on the current political atmosphere.   Eleanor enjoyed reading, with biographies and books on political history being her favorite.  She enjoyed doing yard work and kept her yards in Burlington and Falmouth looking immaculate.   

During their retirement years Eleanor and Paul would spend their winters in Nokomis Florida, a town in Sarasota Florida, and summers on the Cape.  Nothing brought her more peace and tranquility than being at the ocean and enjoying sunshine.   Eleanor and Paul traveled cross country by car visiting many states within the US.  With her interest in history one of her favorite destinations was visiting the “Battle of the Alamo” in Texas.  Eleanor and Paul would both say that with all the places they visited during their lifetime there was no place more beautiful than their home near the ocean on Cape Cod.

Family was always at the center of her life.  Eleanor enjoyed family cookouts, weddings, and any type of gathering that brought the DeBye family together filled with fun, happiness, music and dancing.  For her 90th birthday there was a wonderful family gathering in Falmouth that lasted 3 days. Eleanor was a strong and independent woman who always put the needs of her family first.  Eleanor was blessed to have 13 grandchildren,18 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren, who brought so much joy to her life.  

Eleanor was the beloved wife of the late Paul J. DeBye.  She was the loving mother of Paul DeBye & his wife Shelley of Londonderry, Philip DeBye of Boston, Michael DeBye & his wife Maria Rosberg of Tewksbury, Susan DeBye of Nashua, NH, Jody DeBye & her husband Thomas Campbell of Westford and the late Jacqueline DeBye.  She was the proud “Nana” of her 13 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren.  Eleanor was the sister of Barbara Butler of Mashpee, Nancy Mahoney of Woburn, Carola O’Connor of Falmouth, Paul Joyce of Germany, Jon Joyce of MD and the late Patricia Collette, Raymond, Alan and David Joyce. 

Funeral Services will be private. 

In lieu of flowers memorials in Eleanor’s name may be made to Alzheimer's Association