Our dear Mum and Grandma, Debbie passed on from us with her daughters by her side on 5 September after many years fighting cancer.
She leaves behind a very loving family including her younger daughter Danielle, her granddaughter Grace, her eldest daughter and her husband Tricia and Andy and grandson Cameron. She will also be remembered fondly as Aunty Debbie by her nephew Tonny and his wife Lin.
Debbie was born and raised in Toronto by her parents Robert (d. 1990) and Bette (d. 2012) Lee, alongside her younger brother David (d. 2015). The family moved to Victoria in 1970 and shortly afterwards Debbie met her first husband, Chris Barrington-Boam, father to Tricia and Danielle. It was in 1983 that Debbie met her second husband and life partner Istvan ‘Steve’ Illi (d. 2019).
After Debbie and Steve married in 1986, they moved their family to North Vancouver, where Debbie began her career at ICBC shortly after. The two would also enjoy living in the Kelowna area before settling in Debbie’s beloved Victoria once again in 1999.
Debbie loved afternoon tea, lilacs, the colour pink, hummingbirds and chocolate eclairs from the Dutch Bakery. She was an avid reader who loved Mary Poppins, learning about the history of Victoria and above all else loved a good murder mystery! Debbie’s favourite place was Beacon Hill Park, picnicking with her grandchildren, putting on the golf green and visiting the petting farm. When you would like to remember Debbie at her happiest, think of her as you walk the colourful gardens in the park, wander over the footbridges, listen to the wail of the peacocks and watch the ducks and turtles sunning in the lakes. She’ll be there with you.
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened…
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you,
for an interval somewhere very near,
just around the corner.
All is well
Nothing is hurt, nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting
when we meet again!
Excerpted from ‘Death is Nothing at All’,
Henry Scott Holland, Professor of Divinity, Oxford
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Helen Baker
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Jennifer Debbie is my cherished friend I have known for over 26 years. We met when she did a temporary assignment as my coordinator and we immediately became friends. I was so pleased when she got the full time position and she was my right side kick providing our brokers with such great service. She introduced me to her family and I enjoyed great times with her and Steve. No coincidence when my son was born, Steven, that Steve named their hummingbird after me…apparently I never slow down. I wish I could have been there more, as I loved hearing stories about how the girls and her nephew were doing. She was very proud of all of you. I wish I lived closer. I will cherish every memory of this wonderful woman and her love of Winnie the Pooh and Steve with his cool sharpener collection.
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Maryann Bendo My heart is broken that she is gone. So many wonderful memories with Debbie and Steve over the years of friendship. My condolences goes out to all the family she has left behind.
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Daisy Mutanda/ Kudinda I am sorry for your loss Tricia and Danielle and uncle Chris. I never met your mother but heard of her. May your family be blessed with peace during this difficult time. My sincere condolences.
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Heather I will remember Debbie’s laugh, driving her convertible VW, and how much she loved being surrounded by her daughters and grandchildren. Such a gentle spirit and always looking out for others – I will miss her. Sending love and happy memories, Heather xo
Debbie was a sweet person that I met while working at ICBC. She was in my training class and I got to know her a little bit. She had a lovely laugh and was a good mom and a hard worker.