Obituary of Debbie Thomas

Debra Ann Thomas (Debbie) was born in November 1953, at Cumberland House, Sk., to Angus and Margaret (nee Carrier) Thomas. She was the fourth of eleven children. Debbie attended primary and junior school at Charlebois at Cumberland House. She completed grade 12 at L.P. Miller High School, Nipawin, Sk. After graduation, Debbie worked as a receptionist at the Cumberland House village municipal office. Then enrolled in the Northern Teachers Education Program (NORTEP) in La Ronge, SK., and graduated with a Bachelor of Education. She later said that the NORTEP experience was the best part of her young adulthood. Keith Goulet was her education mentor. In turn, she dedicated her life to serving her home community. This was her calling, to be an Educator Extraordinaire! Debbie loved children. She became a social activist and pillar in the community. For years she volunteered at annual celebrations, like July 1st, where she would organize the footraces and hand out oranges to participants, including the adults. She did her best to be fair and that people enjoy an orderly eventful day. Debbie lent her skill and passion to community development boards and committees. She has mentored the next generation of local activists with her no-nonsense approach. Charlebois (Ministik) School remained her second home. Here, she was an educator, mentor, life and grief counsellor, friend, and an excellent colleague to her peers and administration. Debbie was generous as she often took students out for lunch and gave provision where she saw need. In the classroom, she was an ardent teacher who challenged students to work to succeed. As she took steps to slow down, she began to “assign” mentorship of children to others. “Watch this one”, she told her peers. In true Debbie ethic, she left workplans for her peers to ensure no child is left behind. Debbie was fun! She was a loving friend to the generations, from Elders to children. She enthusiastically travelled the world, entered beauty pageants, played games of chance, took up curling, cheered hockey teams when her relatives were on the ice, plus much more. She did it all with grace, humor, laughter! She was a fashionista. Her friends gave her the nickname Dazzling because of her shiny accessories and personal style - it denoted their admiration and affection for her. Her priorities were: God, family, friends, and work. In faith she marked spiritual occasions, like Christmas, Easter, baptisms, weddings, birthdays, and graduations, with good food and family gatherings. Debbie was a powerful stabilizing force of unconditional love. She spent her lifetime carving good character, morals, and integrity in others without hesitation. Always guiding and supporting in her own unique way. This was her job on earth for the Kingdom of God. Debbie was a brilliant light, a wonderful granddaughter, daughter, sister, mother, auntie, grandmother, great grandmother, cousin, and friend. Her love and care will be greatly missed and cherished. Debbie is survived by her two daughters: Aileen (Cody) and Janelle (Kyle); traditional adopted son Glenn Jr; six loving grandchildren: Kaitlyn (Leo), Kurtis (Angel), Anderson, Ameira, Kieran (Shaye), Soraya; four delightful great-grandchildren: Presley, Hannah, Keely and Navy; her siblings: Sara (Bill), Medrick (Linda), Gillman (Kathleen), Glenn, Lester (Mary Anne), Barney (Rhonda), Adrian (Sheila), Bill; sister-in-law, Lorette; numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; sister/cousins Val Fosseneuve, Bev Cheechoo, Barb Sauve, Marguerite Allard, and Patricia Kollier; Godchildren Nadine Thomas, Trevor McLafferty, Jolene Thomas, Angus Thomas (III), Rylee Petit, Ashley Fiddler, Jasmine and Mercedes Bloomfield. She was predeceased by her parents, Angus and Margaret Thomas; brother, Clyde; sister, Marjorie; brother-in-law, Wilfred Turner; sisters-in-law, Suzie Thomas, Lorraine Thomas; nephews Lester Turner, Keith Thomas; niece Kelly Sanderson; grandsons Cody Dick, Bradley Turner, Jarod Jensen; granddaughters Angel Sinclair, Carr twins, Suzie Isbister-Thomas; great-great grandson Ondrej Beardy; Godson: Skyler Morrison; and cherished children: Morgan and Marlon Sewap, Christopher Greenleaf, Dawson Carrier; dear friends: Ruth Ahenakew, Rosina McGillivray, Lorraine Crate; Mrs. Lorraine Chaboyer; Jimmy Sugar-Custer; sister/cousin: Dianne Deschambeault.