Deborah Grzelecki Rooney passed away on August 10, 2023 at home surrounded by her family. Debbie’s passing ends her years-long battle with a degenerative neurological disorder.

Debbie raised her two grown daughters in New Canaan and was a resident for more than three decades. She was the head fundraiser for the Parent-Teacher Council of East School, head of the Little Newcomers Club, and a Girl Scout leader. She will be remembered as a strong leader with a creative spirit.

Debbie was a graduate of Gettysburg College, where she majored in art history. This was the beginning of her passion for artistic creativity and expression. Debbie’s collection of works of art was celebrated by the town of New Canaan in June 2019 in her “World Without Words” exhibition.                                                                                             

Debbie loved her family and is survived by her partner Tom O’Connor, daughters Shannon and Kyra Rooney, sister Sharon Smith, parents Frank and Jean Grzelecki, and well-loved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service to celebrate Debbie’s beautiful life is scheduled from 12:00 to 2:00pm on August 19th at Hoyt Funeral Home in New Canaan. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Debbie’s name may be made out to Strays & Others Animal Shelter in New Canaan. https://greatnonprofits.org/org/strays-others-inc?search=strays or Strays and others, INC, P.O.Box 473, New Canaan, CT 06840