By Randy Jackson

“It was an accident, my obsession with oh-so-blue jacaranda… I’d come to Oaxaca for a university conference, and thought, ‘I got his far, why not stay and go to the beach? I see this place called Huatulco…’”

So began Deborah’s serendipitous arrival into a diverse community of snowbirds and expats in this warm, jewelled collection of bays on the Pacific Coast. Only Deborah was more than a member of this community; she was a catalyst in its formation. With her energy, curiosity, and instinct for helping people and animals alike, she drew others together and turned chance acquaintances into lasting friendships.

A Life of Learning and Connection
Deborah was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and grew up in Cumberland, Maine. Her academic pursuits were extensive: she earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Columbia University and a master’s from Queens College, City University of New York. She later pursued doctoral studies in Urban Planning at the University of Michigan. In 1986, she married John. Concurrent with their academic careers, they embraced a different kind of life on a 40-acre farm near Ann Arbour, Michigan, where they raised sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry.

Like many of her friends in Huatulco, Deborah and John’s transition into retirement marked the beginning of a new chapter, a rich life spent with winters in Huatulco, surrounded by friends and a social calendar full of activities.

The Rhythm of Life in Huatulco
In 2007, Deborah and John bought their home in Santa Cruz. Their evenings soon found their own unique rhythm, with the sounds of the “pineapple dance” drifting over their garden wall from the Binniguenda Hotel. Life in their Mexican home had its own rhythm, too, coloured by the often humorous unpredictability of renovations, shifting household staff, and the antics of coatimundis and leaf-cutter ants. Each year, the season was punctuated by the must-have invitation, the end-of-volleyball-season party at the Van Hoewyks.

Deborah’s contributions to the Huatulco community were both wide-ranging and deeply felt. Her passion for animal welfare was evident through her work with several organizations: the Snipsisters, which focused on pet and street animal sterilization; Palmas Unidas, which organized rescue and clinic work; and Forever Homes, where she and John fostered animals awaiting adoption. Beyond her love of animals, she also supported the Bacaanda Foundation, working to create stronger educational opportunities in rural Oaxaca.

Throughout their years in Huatulco, Deborah’s energy and curiosity animated every part of her life. She continued her study of Spanish and, with John, explored the region’s hidden corners – remote bays, coffee farms, eco hideaways, and off-the-beaten-path communities. She became a valued part of The Huatulco Eye magazine as both a writer and copy editor and was an active participant in countless local initiatives. Each winter, she and John made the long, adventurous drive from their northern home on the Atlantic coast to their southern home on the Pacific, often hauling supplies for volunteer projects but always leaving space for their beloved cats.

A Legacy of Friendship
In 2023, Deborah and John sold their house in Santa Cruz, shifting gears to new adventures in later retirement. She maintained her passion for books and book clubs while also writing grant proposals for non-profit organizations, engaging in community gardening, undertaking home renovations, and exploring through international travel. Her energy and curiosity endured throughout a full and rich life. Deborah passed away on August 28, 2025, in Portland, Maine.
These words are offered in remembrance of Deborah — as a proud friend, one among many, and as a colleague at The Eye. All of us, writers, readers, and friends alike, remain grateful for the many ways she enriched our community, and especially thankful for the gift of her friendship and her presence in our lives.