Debra Jean Gunning
Debra Jean Gunning, age 64 years, of Plymouth, MA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. Debra took her last breath in the arms of her loving husband, Steven Gunning, surrounded by her eight beautiful children. She was the daughter of Jeanine (Jean) Wright and the late David G. Wright, of Nashua, NH.
Debra was a loving wife, mother, grandmother (Mammy), sister, and friend. She leaves behind her beloved husband Steven, with whom she shared a beautiful life and love story that began in high school. Best friends from the start, their bond grew into a lifelong partnership, raising eight children together in their warm and vibrant Plymouth home.
She was the proud and devoted mother of Ryen and his wife Liz, Leah and her husband Jeff, Anna, Patrick, Sean and his wife Alicia, Gabriel, Deirdre, and Adrian. Her joy extended to her grandchildren: Desmond, Jackson, Delilah, Lucia, and Simon. Debra is also survived by her loving sisters, Lynne and her husband Phil, and Karen.
A woman of many talents and deep passions, Debra had a love for the ocean and the relaxed rhythm of coastal life. She found joy in writing poetry, dancing, fishing, running races, and sewing–creating exquisite quilts and dresses by hand. Her kitchen was the heart of the home, where she shared her multicultural culinary talents with her beloved family. She enjoyed eating her freshly caught fish and shellfish from her backyard beach.
For over twenty years, Debra focused on raising her children. While attentively continuing to nurture her family, she pursued her intellectual interests by attending Boston College School of Nursing full-time, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Dedicated to saving lives, her professional life was marked by compassion and excellence, with a long career as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and South Shore Hospital where she pioneered new neonatal IV tubing that helped save the lives of many newborn babies. Debra returned to her studies and earned her Master’s degree from Georgetown University, also Summa Cum Laude. She then went on to work as a Family Nurse Practitioner until retirement.
In recent years, Debra and Steven enjoyed traveling together in their Airstream throughout the Florida Keys, spending time walking along the beach, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and enjoying the beautiful sunsets.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Cartmell-Davis Life Celebration Funeral Home, 619 State Road, Plymouth (Manomet). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 11:30 AM at St. Bonaventure’s Church, 803 State Road, Plymouth (Manomet), followed by interment.