DEBORAH SHORTILL

In Loving Memory of Deborah Shortill (October 30, 1945 - July 1, 2025) With full hearts and fond memories, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved friend and family member, Deborah "Deb" Joan Shortill, on July 1, 2025, after a long chapter of living fully and fiercely in the face of cancer. Deb was a woman of remarkable strength, grace, and creativity. She met every challenge with quiet resilience and a deep well of compassion. Her warmth touched everyone she met, and her presence brought comfort and calm to those around her. A passionate interior designer, Deb had an extraordinary eye for beauty and detail. She could transform any space into something welcoming and elegant - often with nothing more than a throw pillow, a splash of color, and a firm opinion on your lighting choices. She believed that good design could fix almost anything, and if it couldn't, well, that's what a strong cup of tea and a well-placed lamp were for. Her creativity extended beyond interiors to her beloved garden, where she found joy in coaxing life from the soil and ensuring the local wildlife were well fed. Her backyard was a living canvas of color and calm. She often joked that her plants listened better than most people - and she may have been right. Deb also had a deep love for travel, a passion she shared with her father, W.H. Together, they explored the world - collecting memories, stories, and the occasional questionable souvenir. Their adventures were filled with laughter, curiosity, and a shared appreciation for the beauty in every corner of the globe. She was predeceased by her father, William Hugh "W.H." Shortill (2008); mother, Jean Stapleton Shortill (1990); and her dear brother, David Shortill (1997), all of whom she carried in her heart every day. We take comfort in knowing they are now reunited. Deb will be remembered not only for her artistic spirit and sense of humour, but also for her kindness, her gentle wit, and the love she gave so freely. She was especially grateful for the friendship and support of her wonderful neighbors, Kim and Norm Tait, whose care and companionship meant the world to her. Deb is survived by her brother, John (Helen); nephews, John J. (Delphine), James (Krista), Robert, Timothy (Stephanie); and great-nephews and a great-niece. Her legacy lives on in the spaces she created, the gardens she nurtured, and the lives she touched. In honour of Deb's life, the family kindly asks that donations be made in her memory to a cancer research or the Hope for Wildlife Society (www.hopeforwildlife.net). Happy travelling, Aunt Deb.