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
Deb was there for the births of my three youngest children; Phoenix, Luca, and Charlie, and I am so grateful for her kind and calm loving presence.
Thank you for everything Deb.
Dearest Deb,
I thought I’d write some thoughts down. I wanted to share them with you while you are with us, not afterwards.
You have been a powerful influence in my life from the day I met you. You have a legacy of love to leave here on earth, and there isn’t a greater legacy than that of love! You have blessed so many lives in all walks of your life—not only with Jim, and that in itself was pretty great, but with all of your family—and I feel enormously proud to count myself family—within your profession, in your friendships and other relationships, in your daily walk and talk. You are ever so thoughtful and kind, compassionate and caring, totally unselfish and of such a generous nature, you are! Your leadership—again in all walks of life; your integrity. You always had an incredible energy and enthusiasm for life. And talented… so many talents and shared freely.
You provided a center and kept us all together. (Of fondest memories are the gatherings when we were treated to the Deb embrace.) And when I think about it, you leave so much good with us that we can never be without you. I know Bud will always have your loving embrace and presence, as will those of us who know you.
Your journey, in a sense, is just beginning, continuing on to greater heights. We will always know you and meet up again, Yippee!!!
When I think of you, Deb, it is a time to celebrate! You have taught us how to celebrate life, so we’ll Celebrate with you, yes we will!
We will feel sadness and grief, I’m sure, but when we get past that, we will have the gift of you, wonderful you‼️
THANK YOU for being part of my life, THANK YOU for so much—I can think of so many times and instances when you were there, where you just shared love and gifts and You in just the right way. …and your understanding of people, of what and how to give, of always helping to solve a problem, or a better way to do something. I have so many warm memories of you and the many kindnesses you shared, and how nice it was to be with you. I’m sitting here smiling, smiling at the thought of you♥️
With all the sad moments we will feel and the thoughts of missing you, I know it will be replaced by so much more because of the gifts you leave with each of us. And knowing the best gift of all was You❣️
THANK YOU sweet Deb! THANK YOU‼️♥️♥️♥️
Love you so much,
Janet and SeaniePooh
Deb will always hold a special place in our hearts. The love, guidance and knowledge that she shared with my husband and I through our 2 pregnancies in 2001 and then again in 2003 were a gift. We will hold her in our memories forever, may she now Rest In Peace.
So sad to hear this news. Deb was such a calming presence for both my wife and I during and after all four of our pregnancies. Can’t imagine what that period of time would have been like without her. She will always be in the memories of our family’s formative years and her smiling face remembered in the baby photographs of all our children.
Deb, you were always a pleasure to work with. Your dedication to midwifery was so admirable. I will always remember your sweet smile and kindness. My heartfelt condolences to your family.
Maureen
My sincere condolences to Jim, her family and her many well loved friends.
We shared many wonderful experiences and I have beautiful memories of a dear friend and colleague.
Our sincere condolences to you Jim and to your family. We remember and think of Deb’s warm smile, easy laugh, and welcoming hug whenever we had the opportunity to visit with you both. We pray for God’s comfort and peace for you in the days ahead. Love, Terry and Sallie
My heart is broken at the loss of a beloved colleague mentor and midwife for the birth of our sons. Deb was the epitome of confidence and knowledge in the care of birthing women. I learned so much from you and mourn your passing.
So very saddened to hear of Deb’s passing. She was a terrific nurse and midwife. Deb was an inspirational mentor from the first time I met her in August 1982 as a newly graduated RN at BC Women’s Hospital in the labour and delivery unit.
Sending condolences to her family and friends.
Deb will be missed.
This is so hard to believe. I worked with you as a nurse for several years. You were always so positive and caring for all those moms. And you remained positive going through what you just did from all the comments I read. Yes one day we will meet again in a different place. God was waiting for your help in that other world. I feel for the family you had to leave but I know you taught them to accept and cope with whatever any day brings us. God bless you all. Rina