30 Jan 1953 - 10 Oct 2019

In Deborah's own words...

"All my good friends will know that I have never been short for words, so why should that be any different now that I am gone! And it saves some poor friend having to waste an evening thinking up something nice to say about me or trying to find some amusing anecdotes.

"I have been so lucky that my life truly has been a stupendous journey. How many people have been so blessed? A life full of interest, wonderful people and marvellous adventures. My heart has bubbled over with joy so often and again and again I have been awed and amazed. I have been fortunate in being able to carry out so many of the items on my passion list. I have travelled the world - seen the sun rise over Ankor Wat and soared over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon at sunrise. I have seen gorillas in Africa, the Spirit Bear in the Great Bear Rain Forest and polar bears in Churchill. I have seen the Great Barrier Reef, Monemvasia in Greece, the Sistine
Chapel and Halong Bay in Vietnam. I have bicycled in Italy and France with the sun dappling my arms and the poppies dancing in the fields. I have skied in the Rockies with majestic views of mountain peaks. I have climbed heights in Patagonia and seen the mists swirling over Iguassu Falls. I have hiked stunning national parks and flown in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon. I have read great books, drunk fine wines with great smelly cheeses, kayaked with the sun sparkling on the lake, sailed with the breeze in my hair and listened to the plaintive sound of the loon at the lake at dawn, kayaked under the full moon at midnight on the summer solstice. I have worked hard, played hard, loved greatly, had my heart broken and survived, laughed and cried. I have been so tremendously lucky. 

"But luck is not really the key. The key to my happiness and great life was due to the people in it. First, my amazing, small but special family, who not only provided me with great genetics but also gave me life skills. Thank you, Mumsie and Dad. I was their only offspring, their precious little Debbie. They never stopped being in my corner and were there backing me emotionally and financially with never ending support and encouragement. They gave me my inner strength.

"My dear cousin Jacqui, who lived so far away in Australia, but was just a phone call away and ensured she was there for me with her deep, unending love. My two wonderful husbands; Bobbie Bear, Bob Luton, who taught me to love our beautiful Canadian north, Gander Island in Georgian Bay and never ever in all our time together and after, said anything negative to me or about me. Grizzly Bear, Dave McVeigh - still waters run so deep - quietly wooing me with thoughtful oldies tapes, She Drives Me Crazy (and I did) and Money For Nothing; a canoe in the vegetable patch; teddies in the Porsche; Blackadder; the joy when he rescued me at the airport and how much I appreciated seeing that green sail come out to ‘Hobie sit’ if I was sailing alone on a gusty day. My mother-in-law, Georgia McVeigh, for her delicious dinners and superb wines.

"I am filled with appreciation and gratitude for so many others in my life. My numerous friends…to you all, I say THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, my wonderful friends, who brought so much joy into my life. 

"Gosh, how many people have been a positive influence in my life? There were so many more along my path. I am so appreciative of everyone. I hope I entered your lives with grace and gentleness. I always tried to do my best and to be kind but I am sure along the way without intention I did my share of hurts and annoyances. For this I apologise. 

"Sadly, my path has come to an end. There is always so much more one wants to do. One more quilt to make, one more golf game, one more paddle under the full moon at midnight, one last sailing race, one more sunrise over the lake or October mist to see, a rose to smell, another book to read, a big bear hug to give.

"No hankies. I believe my energy has returned to the universe and a part of me will be found in the strumming of a hummingbird wing or the petals of a wild flower. My essence will never die.

"I hope nobody I know ever gets this horrid illness, but I hope everyone lives every day as if they do. For you learn how very magical and special every moment is. You see the gift in every situation and the beauty in everything. So find and see JOY in your life, make love to someone you love, sit and watch the sunset, drink a fine wine, bring out and use those items left for best. Love, laugh, sing and live life with a capital ‘L’ every day."

Debbie Kerridge