Riding on the wings of her ancestors, and comforted by the love of family and friends, Deborah of Edmonton, crossed over to the spirit world on January 29th, 2020 at the age of 66.
Debbie will be lovingly remembered by her children, Jarod Sand, Rheanna Sand (Martha Duffy), Blaze Logan, and Reese Coulter (Alyssia Hodgson); grandchildren, Jordan, Jamie, and Jenna Sand; siblings, Robert (Angie) Coulter, Scott (Bonnie) Coulter, Sharon (Don) Morin, and Julie (Terry) Handrahan; as well as many close nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was predeceased by her loving partner and best friend, Trevor Logan; by her son, Jason Ryant; by her siblings, Clifford Coulter and Orleane Deschamps; and by her parents, Robert Coulter and Thelma Chalifoux (nee Villeneuve).
Debbie was born with strong Metis roots that helped her survive residential school, unfriendly foster homes, the death of her first child, and to educate herself and become a successful cultural mentor. In the 1970’s, she was given her name, Deer Woman, by Ben Calf Robe in a naming ceremony. Professionally, her greatest pride was in creating the Urban Aboriginal Accord Initiative with the City of Edmonton, and later when she was presented with an Elders’ sash from the Metis community. Diagnosed with late stage lung cancer in 2017, Debbie was a model patient but was hit by aggressive tumor growth in late 2019. In the end, Deer Woman urged us all to honour Mother Earth and the gifts She shares – Air and Fire, Food and Water.
The family wishes to send a special thank you to Dr. Charles Butts at the Cross Cancer Institute for his exceptional care. We also wish to thank the staff at the Grey Nuns Palliative Care Unit 43 as well as the Medical Assistance in Dying team for helping our mother cross over with comfort and dignity.
A Memorial Service will be held at 6:30pm on February 3, 2020 at Connelly-McKinley-St. Albert Funeral Home, 9 Muir Drive, St. Albert. A potluck will be hosted by the family afterwards. Her ashes will be interred in the family plot in St. Albert, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to Michif Cultural Connections, 9 Mission Ave, St. Albert, AB.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Deborah Louise Coulter 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Edmonton, Province: Alberta