Obituary of Debra Pranaitis

Palmer- Debra (Smith) Pranaitis, 62, passed away September 2, 2022 at Baystate Medical Center after a brief battle with cancer. Born November 2, 1959 in Palmer, the daughter of the late Ervin “Smitty” Smith and his wife Alice (Siegel).
Deb was a daycare provider for over 40 years, opening her home to care for the children and loving them and their parents like they were family. She truly loved what she did and just recently retired last year.
Her life was devoted to her family and would do anything she could for them; Always putting others before herself.
She loved to cook, especially her famous Golabki, travel, and spend time with her beloved daughter and best friend, Katie.
She also loved and enjoyed being “Grandma” to Katie’s pets, especially her dog, Eldon.
She leaves behind her former husband, David Pranaitis, their daughter, Katie Pranaitis, as well as her mother, Alice (Siegel) Smith. Additionally, she leaves behind her cousin who was like a sister, Theresa (Siegel) Hotaling and her husband, Keith Hotaling and their children, Jacob and Abby, who were so special to her. She also leaves her aunt, Shirley Moore, and many cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Ervin "Smitty" Smith, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.
All services are private at her request. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Halfway Home Cat Rescue Inc. P.O. Box 614 Chicopee, MA 01021 or MA Vest -a-Dog Inc. P.O. Box 48 Walpole, MA 02081.