Obituary of Deborah L. Neal
Deborah Lynn Neal, 61, of Putnam, CT passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 16, 2026 at her home in Putnam, CT. She was born on September 23, 1964, at Roger Williams Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. When she was four years old, she moved to Connecticut. She was a fun-loving child who was especially close to her grandfather, Robert Chirnside.
When she turned 18, Debbie was ready to explore the world and headed west with friends. She spent many years living out west, traveling and settling in places like Santa Barbara, California, and eventually Reno, Nevada. Debbie lived a life full of adventure and fun during those years. Over time, she held many different jobs—from a phone operator (remember those?) to working as a receptionist in oncology, and later at Bank of America as a financial analyst.
In 2000, she returned to the East Coast, settling first in Rhode Island and then back home in Putnam.
When you think of Debbie, we hope a big smile comes across your face—inspired by her infectious humor and enormous heart. She had a special gift for making everyone who walked into a room feel like the most important person there. That love extended to animals as well. A true animal lover, Debbie was often seen around Putnam with her beloved dog, Zoe, prior to Zoe’s passing.
She leaves behind her parents, Jon and Suzanne Neal; her brothers, Chad (Jessica) Neal and Kurt (Christine) Neal; her sister, Courtney (Carmine) Imbriglio; and her many nieces and nephews: Carmine (her godson), Giulia, Jackson, Mary, Emily, Jasmine, Thomas, Emma, and Olivia. She also leaves behind her sweet cat, Sydney, and her dear friends, Wendy Martin and Sallie Quimby Anthony.
We hope she is reunited with all of her animals and is embracing her Grandpa Bob. Friends and loved ones are welcome to attend her services at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, CT, on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. The family especially invites you to join us at a Celebration of Life following the service at the United Methodist Church on Grove Street in Putnam, Connecticut, from 12:00–1:00, where we will gather to share memories, honor Debbie, and celebrate the lasting impact she had on our lives, reminding us all how loved we were by her.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Deborah’s memory may be made to PAWS Animal Shelter—or by doing something kind for someone. She would have loved knowing her memory inspired acts of kindness. Share a memory at Smithandwalkerfh.com