Thousands of firefighters, police officers and friends from Scarborough, South Portland, Biddeford and New Hampshire traveled to New Life Christian Church in Biddeford Tuesday to pay their respects to  Debra Cole, a member of the South Portland Fire Department for more than seven years.

Debra Cole

Debra Ann Cole, 40, of Lyman, a South Portland and Goodwins Mills firefighter-paramedic died unexpectedly Thursday June 11 at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Debra was born in Biddeford, January 8, 1969 a daughter of Alton E. Kinney and Linda King Ruel. She attended Lyman schools, Massabesic High School, and graduated from Kennebunk High School class of 1986. She attended the University of New Hampshire at Durham and later earned her associates degree in equestrian animal science.

She had a great love of animals, especially horses. Debra owned and operated Wish 4 Time Pet Care Center in Lyman. She was a dedicated firefighter-paramedic and for the past seven years was employed with the South Portland Fire-Rescue Department and also a 12-year member of Goodwins Mills Fire-Rescue Department currently serving as captain. She also worked part time with the Arundel, Westbrook and Buxton Fire–Rescue departments.

Debra was a member of the Professional Firefighters of Maine, and Maine Federation of Firefighters.

When off duty she enjoyed NASCAR Racing and camping adventures with family and friends. She is survived by her mother Linda King Ruel and Marcel Ruel of West Kennebunk, her father Alton Kinney of Lyman, her companion David Dyer of Standish and two daughters Amanda and her husband Dave DeMeule of  Portland and Samantha Cole of Lyman. Her former husband Raymond Cole of Lyman, one brother, Michael Kinney of Biddeford and several nieces and nephews also survive.