Born in Toronto, Ontario, on September 3, 1946, Deborah Ann Dewar Grant
Douglas died in Sydney, Nova Scotia on September 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; and her sister Heather Tindale.
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 1990’s, 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 of the 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
decorator, community leader, mother, grandmother and thoughtful and
generous friend. On a typical visit to
the Grant household, you would find 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 September 19th at 11:00 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, ON M5G 0A1) or to a charity of choice.