Deborah Frances (Lamb) Hall

Deborah Frances Hall

March 10, 1966 – November 20, 2024

Deborah Frances Hall (Farr) (née Lamb), affectionately known as the “Dancing Queen” and “Galway Girl,” passed away peacefully on November 20, 2024, in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 58, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. A beacon of strength, love, and resilience, Deborah inspired all who were fortunate to know her.

Born on March 10, 1966, in Garrett County, Maryland, Deborah was raised in Billerica, Massachusetts, where she graduated from Billerica Memorial High School in 1984. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 1991 and later pursued a Master’s in Environmental Engineering at Tufts University in 2001. During this time, she excelled as a Senior Project Manager at GZA GeoEnvironmental, balancing her career while raising her two daughters.

Deborah’s remarkable career spanned environmental engineering and commercial real estate, where she was known as a visionary leader and trusted mentor. As Director of Real Estate at Ahold (2002–2018) and later at LifeTime (2018–2024), she earned a reputation as a tenacious negotiator and consummate professional who brought heart and integrity to every deal and relationship. Her colleagues admired her ability to inspire and uplift everyone around her.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Deborah embraced life’s simple joys. She loved dancing with friends, cultivating her garden, and cooking alongside her daughters. Her cherished retreat, her Cape Cod “Cape Escape” in Mashpee, was a source of solace and joy, where she found peace by the ocean and delighted in the company of her husband Liam and her beloved dogs, Jojo and Tilly.

Deborah married Stephen Farr in 1993, and together they raised two extraordinary daughters, Amanda and Julia, who were her greatest pride. 

In 2018, Deborah met her soon-to-be husband, William Hall, affectionately known as Liam, during a chance encounter in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Their connection was instant and undeniable. A year later, Liam proposed to Deborah in Dublin, Ireland, presenting her with a ring she had fallen in love with during a stroll through Galway—a perfect reflection of their shared adventures and deep bond. In 2021 they married by the sea at Ocean Edge in Brewster, Massachusetts, surrounded by friends and family in a celebration of love, joy, and new beginnings. Their love story was one of serendipity and devotion, exemplifying the beauty of life’s second chances. Liam was her steadfast partner and greatest support during her cancer journey, offering unwavering love and care.

After her diagnosis in 2022, Deborah faced pancreatic cancer with extraordinary grace and courage. She continued to live life fully, finding strength in her family, faith, and a deep commitment to helping others. Her work with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) became a profound part of her mission. Through her articles and fundraising efforts, Deborah offered hope and connection to countless patients and families. Her dedication culminated in a 4th-place finish in PanCAN’s 2024 Purple Stride Fundraiser, a testament to her tireless advocacy.

Deborah is survived by her devoted husband, William Hall; her beloved daughters, Amanda and Julia Farr; her mother, Frances Lamb; her sister, Wendy Runge; her brother, Steven Lamb; her nieces and nephews; and her dog, Tilly. She is predeceased by her father, Walter Lamb.

Deborah’s vibrant spirit, boundless love, and deep faith touched the lives of all who knew her. Her family and friends will forever remember her as a loving partner, devoted mother, and dear friend who brought warmth and light to every moment. Her legacy of resilience, kindness, and joy will live on in the hearts of all who carry her memory forward.

A celebration of Deborah’s life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to PanCAN’s “Team Dancing Queen” in her honor.