Deborah Ruth Reid (December 2, 1954 – July 3, 2025) a vibrant and passionate artist, advocate, attorney, and beloved pillar of her community, passed away July 3, 2025, surrounded by love and cherished memories. She was predeceased by her father, Hugh Hall Reid of FL; her stepfather, William Travis of FL; and husband, Stephen Francis Keane, whose partnership and support were cornerstones in both her personal life and professional journey.
Deborah is survived by her loving mother, Lois Travis of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, whose pride in her daughter’s accomplishments was evident to all who knew them. She is also survived by her sweet pup and companion, Elsie; stepsister, Judith Tresca; her husband, Fuller and family; dear cousins, Shannon LeMay and Kelley McSweeney; devoted grandchildren, Victoria Starrett, Emily Ross, Juliette Ross, Mia Keane, Rowan Keane, Jordan Ducharme-Keane, Ryan Ducharme-Keane; and a wide circle of devoted friends and colleagues who considered her a guiding light.
Deborah lived in several places throughout her life—she was born and raised in Wayne, NJ, attended Northeastern, University in Boston, MA for a degree in Art, then earned her Juris Doctorate at The University of San Diego School of Law in 1979. Deborah spent many years in California before returning to NJ and settling in Hoboken, NJ, where she worked at an admiralty law firm at 120 Broadway, New York City.
After several years in Hoboken, NJ, Deborah and Steve were married in Wayne, NJ in May 1998. Deborah often described their relationship as the “greatest adventure of her life”. In marrying Steve, Deborah gained new family members, notably Steve’s grandchildren, for whom her time, attention, wisdom and grace were generously and selflessly provided. After several years in Hoboken, Deborah and Steve moved to Atlantic Highlands, NJ, where they lived for many years.
On September 11, 2001, Deborah lived through and survived the 9/11 tragedy. This experience shaped her art and relationship with New York City. She produced several works related to this experience throughout her life, and in 2021 published 9/11 reSCENE. “The shock wave of the second plane hit me in my solar plexus. I was evacuated from my building and walked to the east river. I stood in rocketing clouds of debris from the fallen towers before going home on a ferry…I returned to work the following week”
Deborah’s commitment to caring for others was an unshakable part of the core of who she was as a person. In 2004, Deborah and Steve settled in Jacksonville, Florida, to be near and care for her Mom. At the same time, she became deeply involved with the care of Steve, who was battling several chronic health conditions, including Parkinson’s. Despite being pulled in many different directions, Deborah maintained a positive attitude and warm and generous attitude. Art was a big part of her healing process, and throughout this time she maintained the motto, “Art Heals”.
Her immersion in vibrant arts communities fueled her creative spirit and that creativity, mentorship and advocacy had a profound impact on the Jax arts community and beyond. Friends in the art community knew Deborah as a reliable advocate whom they could seek out for support, both personally and professionally.
Born with boundless creativity and conviction, Deborah lived an extraordinary life, always true to herself. She traveled the world, gaining inspiration for her art and broadening her impact on causes she championed. As a passionate artist, she worked in painting, printmaking, and installation. Her art evolved into voice of activism and message—most notably reflecting her belief that: “artists can shed light on issues that are tempting to tune out in other media”
Alongside her creative pursuits, Deborah maintained a distinguished 40-plus-year legal career as an AV rated attorney, working in several firms before starting her own business as a private practice IP-law expert and published author. Her work in her practice focused on guiding artists through the complexities of copyright and contracts. She authored and taught seminars such as Law: Artfully Explained and Contracts for Creatives, empowering countless fellow artists to understand and protect their work (deliaquigley.com).
Deborah was a rare creative and logical thinker whose writing was able to distill complex legal theory into digestible and practical wisdom for visual artists. Additionally, Deborah was a published author of a legal reference textbook which served as a supplemental resource for her seminar presentations. In 2024, she published Copyright Artfully Explained, an engaging, accessible resource for professional artists and art students to inform and protect them against theft, an increasingly common issue in the art world.
Deborah was unwavering in her advocacy—whether it was urging citizens to exercise their right to vote through public art installations or standing up for justice in her community. She fought hard for those she loved, and her passion was felt by all who worked with her. In early 2025, Deborah signed up to volunteer to provide legal aid for folks in need in marginalized communities. When she received her diagnosis, she expressed deep regret that she would not be able to continue her mission of advocacy.
Her life was defined by deep love—for her family, her friends, her art, and for the principles she lived by. She was fearless, generous with her spirit, and dedicated to bettering the world through creativity and conscience.
Rest in peace, Deborah Ruth Reid. Your art, advocacy, and love leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire.
