PEAKS ISLAND - Deb died May 13, 2023 at home on her beloved Peaks Island with her best friend and husband of 46 years at her side after living with Parkinson's Disease. She was born in Littleton, New Hampshire and grew up in Augusta, Maine. She attended the University of Maine in Orono  graduating in 1969.

Deb and Steve found their home on Peaks Island in 1982. She loved the island, especially tromping through the woods and sitting by the ocean on the back side. She was an avid birder, gourmet cook and creative decorator. She was an especially gifted and talented artist and worked in a variety of mediums, including metal, leather and textiles. She sculpted carpets for Angela Adams, sewed for Sea Bags and did custom upholstery work.

She is predeceased by her mother, Cecilia Kozacko McKowen and father, Harriman, 'Mac' McKowen of Augusta, Maine.  She is survived by her husband, Steve Nilsen and their Maine Coon cat, Ta of Peaks Island, her sister Annie McKowen of Freeport and her sister Susan McKowen O'Connor and her husband Steve of South Portland and Parrish, Florida; her brother-in-law Brian Nilsen and his wife Carolyn of Casco; her nephew Ben Blouin, wife Catherine, and children Olive, Rose, Auden and Thatcher of Cape Elizabeth; niece Kathryn Blouin and husband Mike Goettig and children Cordelia and Thaddeus of South Orange New Jersey; Sarah O'Connor Willmott, husband James and children Michael, Landen, Hunter and Catherine of Concord, New Hampshire and cousins Bill Avery of Freeport Maine, Jon Avery and Jan Bickel of Clearwater, Florida and Kittery Point, Maine.

There will be a private service in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Deb's name to the Maine Parkinson Society, 146 Parkway South, Suite 210, Brewer, Maine 04412.