Deborah S. Tetreault (Debbie), 74, passed away on June 8, 2023, in Naples, Fla., after a long illness.

Debbie was born on May 30, 1949, in White Plains, N.Y., the second of five daughters of Isak and Gloria Soltvedt. In 1961, when Debbie was 12, her father died and the family moved to Bridgton. Debbie graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1967 and attended Wellesley College.

Debbie met George Tetreault, the love of her life, in Stowe, Vt., while working at the Toll House Inn; she was a waitress, he a chef. They wed September 28, 1968, and moved to Newport, Vt., where they had two children, George Jr., and Heather. Debbie and George moved their expanded family to West Charleston, Vt., in 1970, when Debbie assumed guardianship of her 12-year-old sister, Brook, after the unexpected death of their mother. Over the years, Debbie and George opened their home to members of the Soltvedt family as life circumstances created a need.

Beyond caring for her family, Debbie put her natural leadership skills and ambition to work. She served on the Charleston School Board for many years and co-owned a retail children’s clothing store in Newport, Vt. She worked in banking for most of her career, breaking barriers by becoming the first female loan officer and first female branch manager and was vice president at the Community National Bank. She was instrumental in establishing Vermont’s first associates degree in banking at the Community College of Vermont. Debbie earned a diploma from the American Institute of Banking (AIB). She earned national accolades as president of her AIB chapter and as chair of the state organization. Debbie was an active member of The Rotary Club of the Boundary, becoming a Paul Harris Fellow and receiving the Four Avenues of Service award and the District Governor’s award for Outstanding Rotary Club. She also served as president of the Memphremagog Business and Professional Women’s Club, advocating for women to be given more opportunities for leadership positions. Debbie and George moved to Mason, Ohio, in 1999, where she worked for a title company before retiring to Zephyrhills, Fla., in 2006.

Debbie Tetreault lived her life with integrity, honesty, and a great generosity of spirit. Her strong work ethic included service to others. She advocated for women empowerment, particularly in the workforce. Debbie volunteered many hours delivering meals to the food insecure. She also knew how to have fun, playing cards, sewing, traveling on cruises, dancing, windsurfing, snowmobiling, and mini golfing. She was devoted to her far-flung family, in which she included her sisters, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 55 years, George Tetreault Sr.; sisters Martha Mauney of Oklahoma, Leslie Howard (Derek) of California, Page Soltvedt (Michael Ferraro) of Connecticut, and Brook Soltvedt (Dave Nelson) of Wisconsin; children George Tetreault Jr., (Stephanie Bartlett) of Indiana and Heather Clark (Jason) of New Hampshire; grandchildren Kaitlin Tetreault, Andrew Brown, Madeline Tetreault, Jared Tetreault, and Isabella Clark; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Isak and Gloria Soltvedt.

A celebration of life will be planned for a future date.

In her memory, please consider supporting a community organization with your time or a donation.