Deborah Lynn Marchand

Deborah Lynn Marchand, 57, Attorney of Pittsfield, MA., passed away suddenly on August 10, 2009. Born in Newton, she was the daughter of the late Joseph L. and Mildred A. (Geyer) Marchand.

She grew up in Medway and graduated from Medway High School in 1969. She attended Framingham State College graduating in 1973 and went to Oxford University in England as well as the University of Wisconsin at Madison studying linguistics. She also did research work at the University of Adelaide in Sydney, Australia. Upon returning to the United States, she enrolled in the University of Oklahoma School of Law. She graduated in 1986 with her law degree. She served as Assistant District Attorney for the state of Oklahoma for several years, returning to Massachusetts in 1991. She then took a position with Western Mass Legal Services where she rose to Director prior to her passing.
She served on many civic boards and crisis intervention groups. She was a speaker for these groups concerning child abuse, domestic violence and women’s rights. In recent years, she concentrated on the rights of the elderly in the greater Pittsfield area.

She is survived by her older sisters, Betty, Yvonne and Denise, and older brothers Rodney and Joe. Her oldest sister Jane and older brother Paul pre-deceased her in 1981 and 1963 respectively. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and even more grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Visitation will take place on Friday, August 14, 2009 from 6:30-8:30p.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston, 854 Washington St. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com A private family service will be held with burial in Lake Grove Cemetery in Holliston at a later date.

Donations may be made to the Elizabeth Freeman Center
43 Francis Ave.
Pittsfield, MA. 01201