Deborah J. (Norquist) Racca, 68, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Monday, February 23, 2015 at UMass Memorial Healthcare-University Campus after an illness. She was born in Holden, the daughter of Harold R. and Alice (Beane) Norquist and graduated from Wachusett Regional High School in 1964.

She leaves her loving husband of 49 years, Richard J. Racca; three daughters, Maria C. Racca of Granby, Melissa A. Miller of Worcester and Melanie J. Cole and her husband, Bill of Jefferson; two sisters, Sandra Benoit and her husband, James of Jefferson and Karen Nurmi and her husband Warren of Brookfield; two sisters-in-law, Irene Dube of Worcester and Theresa Racca of Hubbardston; brother-in-law, Ronald Racca and hiswife, Linda of Sterling; five grandchildren, Nathan, Spencer, Tanner, Oliver and Charlotte; many nephews, nieces, cousins and many good friends. She was predeceased by a sister, Marjorie Bettez.

Deborah was a referral analyst at Fallon Community Health Plan for sixteen years. Previously, she worked at Holden Hospital for twenty-five years. Deborah was an active member of the Chaffin Congregational Church in Holden and enjoyed traveling, trips to Aruba, Foxwoods and snowmobiling in Caribou, Maine. She was a devoted wife, and a loving mother and grandmother.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. Funeral services for Mrs. Racca will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, in Chaffin Congregational Church, 155 Shrewsbury Street, Holden. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.