Deborah M. Hewko

Deborah Marie Hewko (née Winslow)
September 16, 1953 – May 1, 2026

Deborah Marie Hewko, age 72, passed away unexpectedly on May 1, 2026, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine, following complications from recent health struggles. Her sudden departure has left her family devastated by the profound pain of her loss, yet they take comfort in the beautiful, vibrant life she lived and the countless lives she touched.

Born on September 16, 1953, in the town of Zwolle in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, Deborah was the beloved daughter of the late Lola B. (Barnett) Winslow and Houston Jesse Winslow. She was predeceased by her parents, as well as her sisters Dorothy, Frances, and Winifred, and her brother Donald.

A bright and dedicated student, Deborah graduated from Zwolle High School in 1971 with distinguished honors, earning a scholarship to Louisiana State University with plans to major in English. However, life had a different, wonderful plan in store. In the summer of 1971, she met John Hewko. After a whirlwind three-month courtship, the two were married, beginning a beautiful partnership that would span the next 54 years.

As a devoted military wife and mother, Deborah traveled extensively during John’ s active duty service. The family lived in Georgia, Ohio, and West Germany before finally settling in Maine, where she remained for the next 41 years following John’ s retirement from the military. For many years, she worked at the Gorges Grant Hotel in Ogunquit, Maine, where her warm presence was felt by many.

Deborah was a woman of many passions. She had a talented green thumb and found great joy in gardening. She was an avid reader and a lover of music, with a special fondness for The Cure, IJ2, and Pink Floyd. Above all, she absolutely adored animals. She worshipped her pets, especially her dogs, and could never get enough shows, movies, or books about them.

A woman of deep faith, Deborah was Roman Catholic and a longtime member of Notre Dame Parish. She was known for her radiant smile, her love of laughter, and her welcoming spirit. She loved to sit outside, chatting and joking with anyone who happened to walk by. She was beloved not only by her own family but also by her children’s friends, many of whom affectionately called her “Mom.” Her heart was expansive enough to adopt those she loved as her own, including her son’ s best friend, Dan Demers.

While she had an adventurous spirit in many ways, Deborah was famously not a fan of heights, flying, or amusement park rides, she much preferred having her feet planted firmly on the ground. Yet beneath that gentle, grounded nature lived a quiet strength, resilience, and tenacity that the life of a military spouse demands in full measure.

Perhaps nothing illustrates this more vividly than the journey she undertook in the late 1970s when John was stationed in West Germany. Before joining him, Deborah first stayed with his family in Ohio while he got settled overseas. Then came the moment that would have tested even the most seasoned traveler: she boarded a military transport flight from Ohio to Frankfurt alone, during a period when terrorism was at an all-time high and airport bombing threats were a frequent and terrifying reality. She made that journey with a five year-old daughter, an infant son, and their beloved French poodle, Fifi, in tow — navigating from plane to train to an unknown home in a country whose language she did not speak, at a time when there were no translation apps, no smartphones, and no Google to guide her through the unfamiliar. With no quick answers and no safety net, she kept her children calm, kept the family together, and found her way.

She managed it all with characteristic grace — save for one memorable moment when a gruff knock at the door sent her heart racing. The harsh, unfamiliar tones of the German language convinced her that someone was attempting a forced entry, and she reported it accordingly. The intruder turned out to be a maintenance worker she had not been informed was coming. It was the one small hiccup in an otherwise extraordinary feat of courage, and it became the kind of story that, in time, could be laughed about — a perfectly Deborah moment, equal parts fearless and endearingly human.

Deborah is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, John Hewko; her daughter, Anna Marie Cormack of Springvale, ME; her son, Christopher John Hewko of South Portland, ME; her “adopted” son, Dan Demers; and her cherished grandson, Rowan Jagger of Springvale. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and a wide circle of friends throughout the years and across the world.
She will be missed more than she ever could have imagined. Her laughter, her warmth, her unwavering love will remain in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know her.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 12:00 P.M. at Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery 83 Stanley Road, Springvale.