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Owner’s sudden death closes local women’s health club

By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
Debbie Hallman was noted for her positive and upbeat demeanor, and her involvement with local charities and events. Above, Ms. Hallman walks in last year’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Manville High School.
   MANVILLE — The Curves for Women health center on North Main Street will be closed indefinitely after the death of owner Debbie Hallman, 55, of Flemington, Sept. 16 while its members mourn the loss of a woman who will be remembered as a “generous” person, who “would help anyone.”
   Judy Fischer, former manager of the Manville Curves said it has been devastating to lose Ms. Hallman, who was always very supportive of her clients, and treated everyone like family.
   ”I can’t believe anything has happened to her,” Ms. Fischer said.
   According to Ms. Fischer, who worked at Curves in the mornings until Ms. Hallman came in in the afternoon, she was used to receiving a call from her boss every morning to check on her before work.
   ”She called me every morning to see if I needed anything,” she said. “We talked on the phone constantly.”
   But on the morning of Sept. 16, Ms. Fischer said she didn’t hear from her boss, which was strange but she wasn’t too concerned until Ms. Hallman didn’t arrive at Curves to relieve her.
   ”If she was going to be five minutes late, she would call,” Ms. Fischer said of her decision to call the police. “When she didn’t relieve me, I was concerned. Something was definitely wrong.”
   Ms. Fischer said that Curves, which Ms. Hallman purchased with a partner about seven years ago and bought out about three years ago, will remain closed unless someone else decides to purchase it.
   According to a representative from Curves International, those with memberships in Manville can either be reimbursed, or be transferred to another local club.
   ”Someone said to me, ‘I can’t even think of going anyplace else,’” Ms. Fischer said. “We have been a family. People don’t want to go (to the club) without their friends.”
   According to Ms. Fischer, Ms. Hallman never worked as a trainer, but she was always very health-conscious, and eventually decided to go through a training course to buy the Curves in Manville.
   ”She always encouraged exercise,” Ms. Fischer said.
   In addition, Ms. Fischer said, Ms. Hallman supported local charities and causes, including the Somerset County Food Bank. She said Ms. Hallman would encourage members to donate food as often as possible.
   At the Curves, Ms. Fischer said, they also supported the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter – with donations of food, blankets and beds – and participated in national breast cancer walks with a team from the club, in addition to also donating to an animal shelter in Hunterdon.
   ”She was also very active with the Manville Business and Professional Association,” Ms. Fischer said. “She supported the businesses.”
   Ms. Fischer said that, aside from it being a part-time job for her at a club where she was already a member, she always had fun working with Ms. Hallman.
   ”It was never dull, and we had so much fun doing this,” Ms. Fischer said. “This was a shock.”
   Ms. Hallman is survived by her brother, John Pesce, of California.
   Memorial contributions can be sent to the Hunterdon Humane Animal Shelter, 576 Stamets Road, Milford 08848.