Debra PRENTICE

PRENTICE, Debra Ann
April 2, 1955 - May 21, 2017
One year has passed since I lost the love of my life. A Celebration of Life was held last May in Abbotsford. Debbie is survived by her husband Jim, daughters Michelle (Kaine) and Sara, Shaun (Elisa), brother Blair (Carol), parents Ken and Carol, 5 grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Debbie was raised in New Westminster, graduating from New West Secondary. She started work at the Ministry of Human Resources in Burnaby in 1974. I met Debbie one month before she turned 20 and we were married 6 months later where we had 42 years of a fantastic, loving, caring, faithful marriage. Debbie was a devoted mother and was fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom raising our children until they all entered Grade 1. She was always there to listen, give advice and support her children through anything. Debbie had a very large giving heart. She always had time to volunteer, saying, "Before you leave this world, make it a better place." She tirelessly volunteered through the Kinsmen and Kinette Club in Maple Ridge raising funds for the Children's Hospital, Cystic Fibrosis, Terry Fox runs, physically and mentally disabled, Senior Citizens, etc. For years she would spend evenings knocking on doors during the Annual Kinsmen Mothers March, usually in the cold and rain, asking for donations. Debbie went overboard in making family holidays and celebrations a big deal, such as birthdays, dinners at Thanksgiving, Easter and Xmas, special times. She started a tradition when the children were born that we could open one gift on Xmas Eve. They were new pajamas. This has still continued where the spouses get sleepwear and the grandkids pajamas. With Shaun living in England and Michelle in Australia she made sure she sent the sleepwear in time. It actually became a highlight every Xmas over any other presents. Debbie loved taking the kids camping, even on her own, with many family trips to Birch Bay and the Glen south of Sumas where we had a permanent lot. Debbie loved to travel, Hawaii (x12), Caribbean, Mexico and Alaska cruises (x15), Australia (x3), Europe (x3), Central America and many weekend trips to Seattle to buy grandkid clothes. However, her "happy place" was Las Vegas where we would go at least 3 times a year to sit by the pool, see a show and play the slots. People would call Debbie, asking where should they stay, eat, what show to see and where the best slots were. She was the best travel agent Vegas ever had since she knew Vegas like the back of her hand. The best trip we had was having Sara, Shaun, Michelle and their families go to Disneyland and Hawaii during Xmas 2015. It was fun spending their inheritance! Debbie would spend hours on Skype talking to her grandchildren in England and Australia. After spending a couple of minutes chatting with Michelle and Shaun, she would say, "Okay, you two are boring now, I want to talk to my babies." Debbie had long-term friends since grade 8: Jane, Debbie, Pat, Cathy and Kathleen. Being the same age, they would all go together to Cancun, an Alaska cruise, Whistler, etc., to celebrate their birthdays. Debbie was always called a "second mom" by the young girls at work since she would give them heck about their lives and threaten to ground them. Debbie was liked and loved by everyone who knew her. Debbie's passing has left a hole in many hearts, but she would not want you to grieve, but to remember the good times, her laugh, humour, kindness and joy she brought to you. My children now say to me, "Dad, what would Mom say to you is the appropriate thing to do and say?" So I still only have that 35% control I had in our marriage where Debbie actually made me believe I did. I miss her terribly every day, as do my children, Blair and her parents. They say the pain and loss subsides over time, but I wish there was a crystal ball where we could all see that. Debbie left a fantastic legacy and made a tremendous difference in our lives and the world around her. She led and experienced an amazing life, filled with brilliant events, travelling, loved ones and great friends. Debbie was one of a kind. Please visit her bench at Willband Creek Park in Abbotsford and think of how she made a difference in your life.