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
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51 Responses
Dear Deb,
I am so glad to have worked with you on and off through the last 30 + years both as a nurse and as a midwife… It was always a lot of fun! Your adventurous and pioneering spirit will live on and I will never forget your twinkling smile.
Sincere condolences to your husband Jim, your family and your many close friends.
I am very sorry for your loss,Jim. I know how you feel and it will take time for you to heal. I am so grateful for having you and Deb in my life, and my heartfelt condolences go to you and your families. Deb no longer suffers and she is always looking after you up there. Lots of love to you and Deb.
I am so sorry to hear about Deb’s passing. Deb was one of my preceptors in midwifery school, and without her amazing tutelage, warmth, and understanding, I would not be the midwife that I am today. I often think of Deb when I am at a birth and ask myself quietly, “What would Deb do”. Deb is and was the kind of person/midwife we need more of on this planet. She was patient, kind, and able to meet people where they were at with love and acceptance. Her sense of humour was sharp and witty, which often helped during those longer labours. The last time I saw Deb was in 2016 as she had come up to the Comox Valley for a visit. She stopped by and gave me a great pearl of wisdom, as she often did. She told me to take great care of myself and to make sure that I extended myself beyond midwifery. I will never forget Deb Little, her presence is always with me.
I always admired Deb for her calm, loving, wise and positive nature. She was a wonderful sister-in law to me and aunt to my children. May she truly rest In peace now. My heart goes out to you, Jim, so sorry for your loss.
Sending love and strength to Deb’s family, colleagues and the many people she touched in Victoria and beyond. I was lucky to have Deb, along with Luba and Julia, as the midwifery team for the birth of my son Amos 14 years ago. I remember her calm, steady, down to earth care and so looked forward to those appointments with her. Thank you, Deb. Your legacy lives on in the strong parents, children and midwives you helped nurture.
Sincerest condolences to Deb’s loved ones. Deb delivered my first child almost 14 years ago today. As a new mum I felt so fortunate to have her as my midwife; her genuine care during such a momentous time in my life will never be forgotten. My family is so grateful for knowing her. Rest In Peace.
Deb was my midwife for my two oldest children, as well as being a support during the a pregnancy loss. She was calm, kind, and reassuring to all of us families. We send so much love to her family and friends.
I am so very grateful to Deb and her Midwifery peers who brought about legislated Midwifery to BC. I was lucky to have Deb attend me for the birth of my second child and now I am a Midwife, partly thanks to her. My condolences to her family. I know she will be missed.
I’m so sorry to hear of Deb’s passing. She was a truly lovely woman and midwife. I was honoured to have her at two of my home births.
Deb’s death leaves a void for those of us who knew her that cannot be replaced — she was that special.
All of my love to Jim, Jamie & Alex, the boys, other family members, and the very many friends Deb had.
I love her last order — it is so in keeping with her spirit and positive outlook on life.