Deborah Jean McCandless Nevins

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Deborah “Debbie” Jean McCandless Nevins, age 85, on January 14, 2025 in Chestertown, MD. Debbie was born on October 2, 1939. She was raised in Merion, Pennsylvania on the Episcopal Academy Campus, where she first gained her love for tennis, playing matches in the backyard with her father. Debbie’s love of boating began early with family cruises through the inland waterways and to the Caribbean islands. Debbie attended Lower Merion High School where she met her future husband, Charles T. Nevins, II (Tiff). She attended Centenary College in Hackettstown, NJ. Following college she worked as a secretary for Whitman Chocolates and then as a co-owner of the family heating oil business, McCandless Fuels, in Havertown and Narberth, Pennsylvania. Gladwyne, PA is where Debbie and Tiff called home and raised their two children. Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church was central to their lives, particularly through the musical excellence in both the adult and children’s choirs. Debbie sang in choruses and choirs all of her life, traveled Europe with her college choir, participated in the family legacy of Savoy, a Gilbert and Sullivan production company, brought joy to nursing home residents with traveling troupe “Larks”, among many other groups. Debbie and Tiff shared a love for the New Jersey shore, enjoying their bayside cottage in Avalon where boating and water activities were central, though equally enjoyed for competitive tennis. In her retirement, Debbie was a long-time Chester River Chorale and Rock Hall Garden Club member. She also ardently supported the National Music Festival and the Main Stay Stage in Rock Hall. She is survived by sister Carol McCandless of Royalton VT; daughter Piper Jo Nevins and spouse Pat Chagnon of Montpelier, VT; son Charles T Nevins, III, and his wife Nicole Nevins of Nassau, Bahamas; granddaughters Hope Nevins and Charlotte Nevins of Los Angeles, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Charles T. Nevins, II, her parents Andrew F. McCandless and Edith Boericke McCandless, and her beloved yellow labs, Donner, Honey Bear I, Honey Bear II, Chappy and Dory. Funeral services will be held on March 8th, 2025, 1:00pm at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church located at 101 N Cross Street in Chestertown, MD. Extended family and friends are invited to call on the family at the church hall immediately following services for refreshments. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: National Music Festival https://nationalmusic.us/get-involved/ National Music Festival P. O. Box 284, Chestertown, MD 21620. Chester River Chorale https://www.chesterriverchorale.org/support/support-crc/ P.O. Box 461, Chestertown, MD 21620 The Mainstay https://mainstayrockhall.org/support/ P.O.Box 238, Rock Hall, MD 216

Deborah Jean McCandless Nevins

October 2, 1939 - January 14, 2025