Pittsfield, MA – Deborah Anne Armstrong, 73, originally from Northampton MA, gained her angel wings surrounded by loved ones in Pittsfield, MA on April 22, 2026 after a long courageous battle with cancer.
Deb was born October 11, 1952, to the late Arthur and Shirley (Pratt) Ely of Amherst, MA. She attended Amherst schools and eventually graduated from Greenfield Community College with an associate’s degree. She held many jobs over the years, most recently at the Juvenile Courts in Greenfield before retiring in 2010. Her favorite job was working for the City of Northampton plowing alongside her father.
Deb enjoyed spending time with her family, knitting and gardening. She was diagnosed in 2009 with Myelodysplasia and was in remission until a liver cancer diagnosis in 2024. She fought hard against the disease until the very end.
Deb leaves behind her 3 children Tracy McCarthy (John), Sabrina Taylor (Mike) and John Connelly (Shannon),; 9 grandchildren, Kevyn, Spencer, Lexi, Charlie, Monica, Abbegale, Meaghan, Caleb and Lucas. She also leaves behind one brother, Roland Ely (Cindy) and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by both her mother and father, her sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Marlin Ball and her husband Richard Armstrong.
Deb’s family would like to thank Hospice Care of the Berkshires and the staff at Mount Greylock for the loving care she received in her last days.
No services will be held at Deb’s request, but a Celebration of Life Picnic will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in care of the Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St. Pittsfield, MA 01201
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