Deborah Elizabeth Meyer (née Howe) passed peacefully on May 11, ending her 45 months of determined resistance to ovarian cancer. Deborah’s children, Robert and Anne (Victoria Milne) and husband Gord will miss her ability to simplify and make sense of dilemmas, her amazing green thumb, wicked sense of humour - everything, actually, but especially her constant love.

Deborah was predeceased by her parents, Bryan (2019) and Winnifred (1989) and will be dearly missed by her step-mom, Ilka Howe, and step-sister, Lisa Martin, her husband Adrian, and Maria, Matthew and Thomas.

A Scarborough girl; Falmouth Ave, Walter Perry PS, Midland CI, Teachers College and Norman Cook PS. Bryan and Win gave her so much: lifelong love of nature and science, serving family and friends ….. baking! Deb was a favourite teacher for 100’s, first in Scarborough and later in Durham at Woodcrest PS. Her colleagues knew her as a consummate pro - committed, creative, energizing.

Deborah was a super proud mom - watching Anne graduate from Mount A, grow her career in Toronto, so happy with Vicky (and Gilbert); seeing Rob grow as a leader in our Navy on HMCS Windsor and as a devoted dad. Nana D was never happier than when she was leading all the fun with Abbie and Emily, Charlie and Andrew, at Nana Camp, Fern Cottage, PEI. Abbie and Emily will always remember their Christmas week 2022 with Nana, visiting the Zoo, Aquarium and Aunt Lisa’s farm.

Deb was always up to lead a family adventure: spelunking in BC, camels in Egypt, dinosaur bones in Alberta, a PEI beach vacation that turned into 20 years of red sand cottaging. In retirement, Deb and Gord’s “zodiac cruises” in the Galapagos and the NorthWest Passage were amazing, feeding her thirst for learning about the natural world.

Deborah whipped breast cancer in the 90’s and was well prepared for her next battle. She loved Dr Lheureux’s team at Princess Margaret, signing up for any trial they could offer. In her final weeks the nurses, PCA’s, PA’s and doctors at TGH 6 Eaton South impressed Deb with their patience and expertise. Deb’s wish: Donate to Ovarian Cancer Canada - women need a screening test for this sneaky, insidious disease.

Deborah requested cremation, with a long list of special places to scatter her ashes, and a celebration of life in the near future - details to follow.