Deborah Ann Dewar Grant Douglas
Born In: Toronto, Canada
Born: September 3rd, 1946
Passed in: Sydney
Passed on: September 4th, 2015
Born in Toronto, Ont., on Sept. 3, 1946, Deborah Ann Dewar Grant Douglas died in Sydney, N.S., on Sept. 4, 2015. She was an extraordinarily strong and courageous woman who dedicated her life to giving back to her family, friends and community.
Deborah was predeceased by her parents, Ted and Lucille Dewar, and her first husband, John Ramsey Grant, and his parents, Donald Grant and Deborah’s beloved 'Granny Mary'.
Deborah’s passing is mourned by her husband Peter Douglas, and her children and grandchildren, Martha Grant (Gregor Vahramian) - grandchildren Jack, Alexandra, Emilie and Olivia; Heather Grant (David Brake) - grandchildren Lucy and Grant; Donald Grant (Tori Jarvis) - grandchildren Zoe and Robbie; Ted Grant (Rosalyn Hayman) - grandchildren Louisa and Willa. She is also mourned by her stepchildren, Scott Douglas (Alyssa Yanover) - grandchildren Amanda and Jamie; Graham Douglas (Karen Herder) - grandchildren Ben and Andrew; and Trevor Douglas and his partner Taylor Bare.
There was no better 'Nana'. Deborah loved spending time with her grandchildren, collectively and individually, and they all are enriched with her teachings, fun spirit and love.
Deborah grew up in Ontario on the rocks of Go Home Bay and the ski hills of Collingwood. Deborah chose a career in nursing and started her practice beside her father, an orthopedic surgeon, at the Toronto General Hospital. She soon met and married John Grant (1967-1988) and moved to Halifax in 1969, where she raised their four children, while pursuing a successful career in community service and politics. Deborah worked as a public health nurse, participated in a number of volunteer organizations and was elected alderman of her ward from 1985 through 1990. In the 1990s, Deborah moved to Regina and brought her creativity and commitment to community service to that city. Moving back to Halifax in 1998, Deborah was executive director Atlantic office of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. She spent countless hours giving back to her communities, always championing the lives of others.
Deborah was known for her extraordinary energy, exuberance and dedication to everything she took on. She could juggle sixteen activities and no person could fit as much into a day ... as gardener, gourmet chef, interior designer, community leader, mother, grandmother and thoughtful and generous friend. On a typical visit to the Grant household, you would find cookies baking, the vacuum running, an ironing board set up, some sort of jam or sauce being made, as Deborah scheduled community meetings and ordered flowers, made phone calls, wrote notes to friends and sent timely gifts to all. Deborah found endless ways to enhance the lives and beauty of everyone and everything she touched. Deborah made and fostered life-long friendships wherever she lived or traveled and dedicated every day to making sure the people she knew felt loved and supported.
Family gatherings and special occasions often featured songs written and orchestrated by Deborah and performed by the Grant/Douglas families. These were sung from the rooftops at events across North America. Summers in both Chester, and later Muskoka, were filled with endless party hosting, picnics on the beach, boat rides, garden planting, and just plain fun!
In recent years, Deborah and Peter were able to spend considerable time in Florida where, as always, amazing friendships were cultivated, golf and family visits were enjoyed and spiritual connections were strengthened through activities at Christ Episcopal Church.
Deborah will leave a big hole in the lives of her family and friends and will be profoundly missed ... but all are better for having been loved by her.
The family will hold a funeral at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, in Chester Nova Scotia on Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. Toronto friends are encouraged to attend a reception at the Donalda Club, date to be announced.
Deborah asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Nova Scotia – Breakfast Program of Cape Breton (CBVRSB, 275 George St., Sydney, NS, B1P 1J7) or to the Multiple Myeloma Fund at Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (10th Floor 700 University Ave., Toronto, Ont. M5G 0A1) or to a charity of choice.
To send on-line condolences and for future information, please visit - http://memorial.yourtribute.com/Deborah-Grant-Dewar-Douglas/
