Deborah Gross Green, 84, of Westport, died on Friday, April 24th, 2026, after a brief illness.
Born in Mt. Vernon, NY, and raised in White Plains, Deborah was the middle of three children born to Jack and Rita Gross. She was a graduate of White Plains High School in 1959 and went on to graduate from Mt. Holyoke College in 1963. She later received her Masters in Education from NYU and a certificate in Special Education from Fairfield University.
She began her professional career as an editor in the Psychology Department at the National Institute of Health in Washington DC. It was in Washington, D.C., where her daughter, Katherine (Kat) G. Curtin, was born in 1967.
She relocated back to the New York Metropolitan area and settled in Westport, where she married Edwin Green. She began her teaching career at Vitam in Norwalk, CT, working with students with substance abuse issues. Following that, she taught at Staples High School in Westport, teaching special education for over 30 years. After retiring, Deborah volunteered at Mercy Learning Center in Bridgeport, where she taught immigrant women studying for their GEDs. Deborah had an immeasurable impact on the lives of countless students during the course of her career.
Deborah was a loving mother, grandmother, and spouse – caring, adventurous, thoughtful, liberal, supportive, and generous. She truly immersed herself in the community of Westport, fostering many wonderful friendships through her participation in tennis, book clubs, knitting circles, and volunteering. Of her many volunteering efforts, Deborah was extremely proud of her work with A Better Chance of Westport, which provides educational opportunities to academically gifted and highly motivated young men of color, as well as Norwalk Grassroots Tennis and Education, a non-profit organization that provides tennis and academic support to underserved youth. She was a frequent patron of the arts, often spending her free time at Lincoln Center to watch performances of orchestra, opera, and ballet, or various art museums.
She is survived by her loving husband of 15 years, Lawrence Hirsch, one child, Katherine (Paul) Curtin of Rowayton, a step-son, William (Linda) Green of Telluride, Colorado, and a step-daughter, Theresa (Ettore) Cosentini of Uzzano, Italy. She is also survived by Lawrence’s children, Neil (Molly) Hirsch of Ridgefield and Michelle (John) Arnold of Noank. Deborah is also survived by seven grandchildren: Emma, Julia, Quinn, Tessa, Amelia, Sophia, and Matteo, and three step-grandchildren: Anna, Henry, and Jillian. She was predeceased by her parents as well as her two brothers, Steven Gross and Jeffrey Gross, her husband Edwin Green, and a granddaughter, Annie Curtin.
A celebration of life will be held at Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, 88 Beach Road, Fairfield, on Friday, May 15th at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (345 Whitney Ave. New Haven, CT 06511), Mercy Learning Center (637 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT, 06604), or the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Connecticut (1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105).
Judith Dolger (Widmann)
Yesterday, Roger and I went to the memorial service for Deborah, which was held in Westport, CT. Deb died unexpectedly three weeks ago from a ruptured brain aneurysm. There were at least 100 people at the service but I was the only member of our class.
There were lots of people, family, friends, colleagues who spoke about Deb's wide interests and special concerns for people who needed extra help. She was a reading specialist in Staples High School for 30 years. After retiring from Staples, she volunteered at a center where immigrant women could learn English. She started a program that brought tennis lessons to inner city kids and also volunteered her time at Planned Parenthood.
What moved me most was listening to her husband, her granddughters and her daughter describe Deb: she was the most loving, kindest, involved person in their lives. Deborah was a skilled cook and baker (especially of cookies and homemade hot fudge). She knitted intricate sweaters for any new baby born to family and friends. She loved visiting museums, attending Broadway shows, the opera and Philharmonic and introducing the girls to all these arts. For her birthday every December, she and Larry would reserve a hotel room and spend three days in NYC, loading up on as many plays, exhibits and concerts as could be fit into each block of time of the weekend.
Deb and I became more friendly right after college. We found ourselves enrolled in the same M.A.T program at NYU in the fall of 1963. The program only accepted 20 students so it was a pleasant surprise to find both of us starting the 12 month program together. Deb went on to become an award-winning teacher; I chose a different path and pursued another degree in the sciences.
We lived near each other and we were in touch from time to time. We attended mini reunions with the famous "Boston Group" several times. We drove up frequently to visit Sue Horowitz Lane at her house in Natick and at the Cape, and when Susie was in hospice nearby in Massachusetts, we drove up to spend a half hour with her for the last time in 2010.
In 2011, she met Larry Hirsch, who had also been widowed, and they married after spending many years alone. They had 16 happy years together and formed a wonderfully blended family from the beginning. Each August, the four of us attended the final symphonic concert under the tent at Caramoor, a well-known music festival in Westchester. Deb brought joy and good works to her family and her community. This year just won't be the same without her.
Alice Godfrey (Andrus)
Thank you, Judy, for the beautiful tribute to Deb. The times when she joined us were special. Your menton of Sue's passing brings back her wonderful spirit as well. Deb exuded peace, deeper knowlege and an open heart. I am sad to learn of her sudden passing. She is an inspiration for us all to live our lives with care for our family and for others. She blesses us with her memory.