Obituary of Deborah Smith
Our friend Deborah Lee Smith:
Extended family and friends are saddened by the loss of Deborah Lee Smith. Predeceased by her
beloved Grandmother Norah Kathaleen Offen (nee Moore) and her mother Shirley Noriene Offen,
Deborah passed away peacefully on Saturday October 12th, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Adored by the many friends she easily gathered, Deborah will be fondly remembered for her artistic
talent, zest for life and travel, her sense of humour and laughter, her kindness and big heart.
Deborah lived in Ballantrae all her life. She skated with the Stouffville Figure Skating Club and was a
Cheerleader at Stouffville District Secondary School. She was an honour graduate of Graphic Design
from George Brown College, and successfully completed many courses with the Ontario College of Art
and Seneca College. Deborah pursued her love of art in her professional and personal life. She worked
many years as a graphic artist, and continued to paint and draw as a freelancer. She loved to sew and
was an avid photographer. Deborah had a wonderful eye for photography, and always felt there should
be a splash of red somewhere! She was an active participant in Art in the Park, and the Whitchurch-
Stouffville Studio Tour and Sales for many years. She was known for her water colours, pen and ink, oils,
portraits, caricatures and photography. Deborah believed beauty was all around us “in a wrinkled face, a
child’s laugh, or the sun and shadow on a dilapidated barn”.
Deborah loved to travel which led to her many happy adventures in Italy, the Alps, England, France,
Ireland, Portugal, the Caribbean and through the US including states Arizona, Florida and New York. Her
most recent trip in early 2024 was a last-minute trip with friends to the Azores, where many wonderful
memories were made.
Deborah loved to laugh, and had an infectious sense of humour. She loved the CBC Radio programs,
especially the Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean. She enjoyed attending all manner of plays and
performances, and loved to attend the Queen’s Plate. Deborah was always sharing funny memes and
jokes, and was always up for a sing-a-long in the car.
Deborah was infamous for her free and easy spirit; open to chat with strangers in a line, take
photographs with them and get to know them in 5 minutes flat! To meet Deborah was to gain a new
friend. She was loyal to the core, and could always be counted on to step in and lend a hand.
Deborah loved all animals, especially her horses and ponies. More recently, she had been caring for
homeless/feral cats, paying to have them neutered/spayed through the SPCA. A few of them even
became domesticated and lived blessed lives with her.
Deborah was a collector and fan of inspirational sayings. One particular newspaper clipping that she had
(credited to Betsie Anderson Stanley) really summed up Deborah’s perspective on life: “To laugh often
and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation
of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others;
to leave the world a little better place than when we found it, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch
or redeemed social condition; to know even one life breathed easier because you live. This is to have
succeeded”. Our beloved Deborah Lee Smith was a resounding success!
To know Deborah was to love her; she will be sorely missed and fondly remembered. Sincerest
appreciation to Dr. Mulhern, and the entire medical support teams and custodians of the Integrated
Stroke Unit, Rehab Team, and the Palliative Care Unit at Southlake Regional Health Centre for their
kindness, compassion and dedication to Deborah.
Information on a celebration of Deborah’s life will be found on this site at a later date. Deborah wanted
to make the world a better place for people and animals; donations to your favourite charity of choice in
Deborah’s memory are gratefully appreciated.