It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Deborah C. Moran (Salerno), 57, who passed away on May 27.
Deborah Moran, 57, passed away on May 27. Her wake and funeral were held in New Canaan.
Born on Jan. 9, 1968, in Yonkers, New York, she was the eldest daughter of the late John Salerno and Nancy (Long) Echlin.
Debbie was surrounded by constant love from her husband, children and friends. She courageously battled breast cancer 24 years ago, at the age of 33, with three small children, and triumphantly survived. Tragically, she was unable to survive an aggressive colon cancer diagnosed only nine months ago.
Debbie graduated from Trinity College in Washington, DC, moved to New York City and married Bill. Together, they built a beautiful and loving life, proudly raising their children, Billy, Danny and Ashley. Their mutual love for each other has been their greatest gift. They moved from New York City and lived for a time in Darien before finding their permanent family home in Norwalk.
Debbie attended New York University, where she earned her master’s degree in education and graduated with honors. After teaching fourth grade, sixth grade and kindergarten in the New York City Public School system, she then spent several years as a preschool teacher and office assistant at Saint John Preschool in Darien.
She then took on the position of the beloved kindergarten teacher at St. Aloysius in New Canaan for 13 years, where she also served as the school’s community service coordinator, cross country coach and athletic director. In 2021, Debbie became the preschool director for St. John Preschool in Darien. Debbie’s love for children — her own and those she taught — was truly her calling, God’s gift to her.
Debbie lived her life by a driving motto: “climb every mountain.” Since her first bout with cancer, Debbie ran 11 marathons, inspiring her husband, Bill, to run three (finishing all three with Debbie) and her daughter, Ashley, to run five (one with Debbie). During that time, Debbie traveled the world, which was her passion.
Debbie is survived by her husband, William M. Moran, her children, William Jr. (31), and his wife, Jennifer Prescott Moran, Daniel (28), and Ashley (27), as well as her mother, Nancy Echlin, and sister, Nancy Anne Salerno of Denver. She was predeceased by her brother, J. David Salerno.
Her wake was held at Hoyt Funeral Home in New Canaan on May 30, 2025, and her funeral on May 31.
— an obituary from Hoyt Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left