Deborah Elaine Grant- Heath was called home on Saturday, September 25th, 2021.

Born on November 11, 1948, she was the youngest of two children. She was preceded by her mother Mary Grant (Daniels-Myers) of Boston MA and her older sister (Lucille Grant) of Boston, MA. She is survived by her two children, Jason Linworth Heath, and Lisa Michelle Taylor (Grant-James), her son-in-law Javon Taylor, and two granddaughters Tiana Grant- James (25) and Jamai Taylor (11).

Deborah attended Cathedral Catholic School and graduated from the Jeremiah E. Burke High School in 1967. In 1971, she began her career in Phlebotomy at the Boston City Hospital Laboratory (Hematology, Immunology, Blood banking, and Clinical Chemistry).

She married Keith Heath in 1973 and gave birth to their son, Jason in 1975. Deborah and her husband later separated, and she began a new life journey with her son. She later met Calvin James and 5 years later began a new chapter in her journey with the birth of their daughter, Lisa.

Deborah continued her career in Phlebotomy until the late 1980’s and began a new career path in the late ’90s. She began attending the College of Public and Community Service (CPCS) at U-Mass Boston in the pursuit of her Human Services Degree. She became an advocate working for Welfare Rights. She later advocated for affordable housing at Grant Manor Apartment to improve the living situation of the residents. As a resident and a member of their Tenant’s Association, she played an integral role in the development’s Demo Disposition project. She was well-known for her advocacy, letter writing, and her attention to detail. Many years later, she was still sought out by more recent resident groups for council and made herself available to provide whatever history she could.

Her children were her everything! If you saw Deborah, you saw Jason & Lisa……literally and she followed suit with her grandchildren. Her life revolved around her family. She was a friend and confidante to many and maintained life-long relationships. Although she was extremely low-key, she was definitely a force and had a recognizable presence. Deborah was a lifelong resident of the South End for 72 years and loved her friends, neighbors, and community. Deborah faced a series of health challenges in her life that presented obstacles, but her FAITH always remained strong. Her desire to help people and better people’s lives are the values that have been passed on to her children, grandchildren, and generations to come. Deborah will be truly missed and will remain in the hearts of many forever and ever.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS on Saturday, October 2nd from 3-5 PM.