Deb died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends. She met death with joyous expectation and peace. At age 68 she had been living with breast cancer for the past almost 8 years.
Deb was born April 8, 1954, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and grew up both there and in Sarnia, Ontario. Deb’s career was rich with wonderful experiences starting with her nursing education in Stratford Ontario. She then went on to study midwifery in Edinburgh, Scotland hoping to come back to Canada to work toward getting the profession of midwifery recognized here in Canada and BC. Deb worked in both Vancouver and finally in Victoria.
Deb was a highly respected Registered Nurse and then Registered Midwife. She was the co-founder of the Midwifery Demonstration Project at BC Women’s Hospital, culminating in the regulation of Midwifery in BC and a Clinical Assistant Professor with the UBC Faculty of Medicine. Deb began her midwifery practice in Victoria in 1998. Deb has mentored nurses and midwives into Midwifery with profound wisdom, respect, and humour.
She is greatly loved by her family and a multitude of friends throughout the world. She will be deeply missed by those who were so fortunate to know her. She wanted it said that: “I died; not just passing on and not saying goodbye; rather to say that I will see you all down the road later when we can all be together again.”
Deb has many fabulous friends and relatives but most importantly she is survived by her husband Jim Havens, her son Jamie and his wife Alex and two adorable grand rascals Jack (7) and Oliver (5). Deb loved you all so much and wished she could have reached out to many of you personally.
Condolences may be offered to family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
51 Responses
Deb was my dear friend for 40+ years and I had the privilege and pleasure to work with her as a nurse at BC Women’s Hospital, and when she began her midwifery practice, I maintained a wonderful friendship with her over these many years. Deb was an extraordinary woman, mentor, friend, and colleague. She and Jim introduced my husband and I and we are both heartbroken at her loss. She was Jim’s rock and our north star. I am grateful to have known her, called her friend, and been within her orbit over these many years.
Dearest Deb,
May your spirit feel
The surge of true delight
When the veil of the visible
Is raised, and you glimpse again
The living faces
Of departed family and friends.
May there be some beautiful surprise
Waiting for you inside death,
Something you never knew or felt,
Which with one simple touch
Absolves you of all loneliness and loss,
As you quicken within the embrace
John O’Donohue
Jim, I’m truly saddened to learn of Deb’s passing. Lovely lady. Will miss her. May she rest in peace.
My thoughts are with you.
Frank
Oh Jim! My heart breaks for you! Enjoyed the few times we got together with you and Deb!
You were her rock! Lots of love coming your way…. Suzanne and Tom (Deanna’s friends living in Prince Rupert)
So sad to hear of Deb’s passing.
We met Deb & Jim on a couple of occasions and enjoyed their generous hospitality.
Vale Deb
Paul & Mary (Aust)
So sorry to hear this Jim. My sweet thoughts and heartfelt condolences go to you and your families. I know she was so courageous and you both fought so strongly for years. Love to all and know she is very happy and peaceful now.
I joined the midwifery department in 2012 after two years in Victoria as a student. Although Deb was never my preceptor, I still learned so much from her, and I will always treasure the warm welcome she gave me, both as a student and as my department head. Deb faced so many challenges with grace, and the way she faced life, and death, is truly inspiring.
On a more practical level, Deb’s old pap table is now in my clinic, though I have never been as successful as she was in disguising it as a decorative table. 🙂
I feel lucky to have known her. She will be missed.
May you rest in peace Deb. You contributed a life of doing good.Now all your worldly troubles of illness have come to a peaceful end. We will miss your yearly Christmas letter. To Jim,although we never met in person. Remember the good times. They surely outnumber the bad. She will be a guardian angel watching over your family. Sincerest condolences Len and Lorraine Mason( Len is a brother to June Hoffart, or first cousins to Deb.}
I have the privilege of calling Deb my friend for 40 years, from our nursing days in Vancouver and continuing in Victoria.
Your wisdom taught me so much about life. I will remember with love our times spent together, working, sailing, Mexico and so many fun times in Victoria
I will relish in those memories, till we meet again down the road, my beautiful friend
Judith Dyer
Deb was my sister in law, though only met her about 13 years ago. She was very supportive of me as an “out of network” family member. She was always very inclusive of me within the family network, which I was very grateful for.
She did not succumb to petty annoyances, and saw the big picture at all times.
I often sought her advice on personal and professional matters because I trusted her and she was
so “balanced” in her judgement. We had many good times esp
in Palm Springs and otherwise.
We had the same birthday, which I think made our connection all the more interesting and even mysterious.
She was definitely a unique and an irreplaceable person, who positively impacted many of us.
Dear Friend Jim, my sincere condolences on the passing of your loving wife Deb, may she rest in peace .
Trev