Memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at the Winkler Mennonite Church. Viewing will be from 1PM-7PM on Wednesday at Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler. Donations in Debbie's memory can be made to Samaritans Purse: Cheques designated to Debbie Doell's Memory available at the church. Due to allergies we request the service be "Scent Free" including flowers and perfumes
Deborah (Debbie) Lenore Doell (nee Morrison)
1959 ~ 2023Deborah Lenore Doell (nee Morrison) was born on April 12 1959 to Robert and Lennie Morrison. Her life was filled with family, friends and a deep love of God. After a battle with cancer, she passed away on June 9, 2023. She walked her cancer journey true to herself: with positivity, humor, faith and with the love and support of her family and friends.
Summing up one's life into a few words is never easy. During Debbie's last stay in the hospital, she was asked what she was most passionate about in life. Though answering was difficult she shared of her love of singing and Jesus. These things, along with relationships with those closest to her and her heart to serve others, were what truly made-up Debbie and her life.
Debbie was born the 7th out of 9 children, and the last out of six girls. She may have been tiny, but even then she was a chatterbox talking nonstop to her siblings, parents, cats, chickens... Anyone who would listen. She spent the first ten years of her life in New York before moving to Ontario with her family. Debbie had many fond memories of camping at Halliday Lake in Northern Ontario and was able to share her love of camping with George and her kids. After living in Ontario Debbie spent her high school years with her Uncle James and Aunt Erika and their four kids in Lower Burrell Pennsylvania. They became like a second family to her. After she was married, Uncle James and Aunt Erika would visit Debbie, George, and the kids, going camping and visiting with them and George's mom Helen. In her early 20s Debbie spent some time living in Calgary before moving to Winkler to be with her sister Cheri who had moved here in early 81.
It was also due to Cheri that Debbie met George. One day Cheri’s car broke down while she and Debbie were driving on the highway. They were brought back to Cheri’s and she called her wonderful mechanic - George. George and Debbie had their first date in January 1983 and of course they went to rifle club to shoot; she hadn’t shot before, but George showed her the ropes. They were engaged three months later and married on April 21 1984. During one of her hospital stays Debbie shared with Vicki how much she loved George. Debbie loved George's company and the two spent a lot of time singing together and going for cruises in George’s old car. Shortly after they married, they paid off their first tiny house and built their next house on the same yard - Debbie was so proud of the house and really felt like she had a home with George. During their later years together, they developed a routine of singing together and listening to music before bed. Debbie dreamed of retiring with George and spending time outside gardening or sitting by their firepit. Though this type of retirement was not to be, throughout their marriage they were able to do these things many times - taking trips to Pennsylvania, planting their huge garden, going camping and having fires.
God blessed George and Debbie with two children - Victoria born in 1988 and Brian born in 1990. It was very important to Debbie to spend time with her children. As a family they spent many weekends at Icelandic State Park where Debbie was able to share her love for camping. The family enjoyed trips to Pennsylvania, making cream cookies, bike rides around Winkler and having Debbie convince George to let them have a puppy.
Shortly after Debbie moved to Winkler, she became a nurses' aide and worked at the Bethel Hospital for 18 years. Around the same time that George and Debbie bought and moved into George's mom’s house, Debbie decided to make a career change and opened her own home daycare. Debbie ran her daycare for 22 years until her sudden retirement this past November. Over the course of her daycare, she took care of over 200 children, many of whom, along with their parents, became like family. Debbie loved caring for the children, taking the opportunity to love on them as well as teaching them about God's love. She often taught them songs from Sunday School and in later years taught the kids about prayer, praying for those who needed prayer.
Faith was a huge part of Debbie's adult life. Debbie was baptized upon the confession of her faith on March 23 1986. They started attending the Winkler Mennonite Church in 1991 and it was shortly thereafter that Debbie became heavily involved in the Sunday School program for the next 31 years. When Brian was two she started teaching the Sunday School class for 2-3 year olds. She often shared that it was here that she really learned about the Bible and who God was. She did this for many years before switching to leading the Sunday School singing. Debbie loved sharing her love of music with the kids, running Christmas programs and Easter special numbers. Another passion she developed through her church was fundraising for Samaritans Purse. Debbie became very passionate about the shoe boxes, contributing to many boxes filled through her church and her day care. Over the last few years this was something that Debbie felt so strongly about - even developing a sewing group that often sewed for those in need, such as Samaritan’s Purse, Genesis House and for the ladies in the support program at Vicki's work. Debbie knew that God had put this on her heart, and she served him well.
In 2012 George and Debbie became empty nesters, with George's mom moving to Salem, and Brian and Vicki marrying a month apart. They loved this new stage of life and enjoyed the changes in the family. Vicki and Eric were married in July 2012, and Eric was able to build a special connection with Debbie often harassing her and laughing together. Eric always said that Debbie was so kind she would even hug a terrorist. It was through Eric that Debbie was able to experience her first taste of being a grandparent. Eric and Vicki were able to billet for the Winkler Flyers and in the fall of 2018 they welcomed Noah Goertzen into their home. Noah quickly became like family, also developing a relationship with Debbie and George. Even after he moved back home, or further away for hockey and university, he still made a point in visiting them when he was home on break. In 2019 Vicki was able to go with Debbie to her Uncle James' 90th Birthday. While Debbie drove Vicki a bit crazy - they weren't sure both would survive the trip - this was a very special time together, going to visit her family and also sightsee around Washington DC. One of Vicki and Debbie's favorite memories from the trip was getting caught in the pouring rain walking back to their hotel.
Brian and Rina were married in June 2012. Rina was able to connect with Debbie easily, often spending many hours playing Scrabble together. It was in Fall 2020 that Debbie and George were told they were going to be grandparents. Debbie had longed to be a grandma and was so excited. Unfortunately, Alexander was stillborn on November 25 2020. This was a hard year for the family as they had also lost George's mom in April that year. Debbie took these losses hard but leaned on God to give her peace. Prayers were answered and after another complicated pregnancy Brian and Rina were able to have their daughter Rachel Alexis on April 30 2022. Debbie adored being a grandma. She and George were able to visit Rachel in the NICU at HSC, and frequent visits became part of their routine - every Sunday George and Debbie would visit Brian and Rina, but mostly Rachel. So often comments were made about how much Rachel looked like her grandma.
Debbie was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer in November. She faced this diagnosis head on with open eyes. She told Vicki early on how she was ready to meet Jesus and was looking forward to being in Heaven. She often talked about how while she was a bit sad she wouldn't get to see Rachel grow up, she was so excited that while George would get Rachel on Earth, she would get Alexander in Heaven. While Debbie's cancer journey was not easy, she shared that she would not have changed how this all had gone on. Through her cancer she was able to grow closer with her sisters and brother, and she felt strongly that her relationship with God had never been better.
Debbie leaves behind her husband George; daughter Vicki and Eric Sawatzky with Noah Goertzen, and son Brian and Rina Doell with granddaughter Rachel. She also leaves behind her Uncle James and Aunt Erika, five sisters, three brothers, a brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and their families. Debbie was predeceased by her parents, her in-laws, and her grandson Alexander.
The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to all of the medical staff that walked alongside the family during Debbie's cancer journey, especially Dr Dhala, Dr Gacutan, the nurses and social worker through Cancer Care, the nurses in the Palliative Care Program, her homecare workers and the amazing nursing staff on the medical ward. We would also like to extend our thanks to all Debbie's family, friends and church family who took time to be with her and serve her and the family, whether through visits, food or prayer or whatever else was needed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritans Purse: Shoeboxes in Debbie’s honor.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11
“Behold, I will do a new thing. See, I have already begun! I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19
Deborah (Debbie) Lenore Doell (nee Morrison)
1959 ~ 2023Deborah Lenore Doell (nee Morrison) was born on April 12 1959 to Robert and Lennie Morrison. Her life was filled with family, friends and a deep love of God. After a battle with cancer, she passed away on June 9, 2023. She walked her cancer journey true to herself: with positivity, humor, faith and with the love and support of her family and friends.
Summing up one's life into a few words is never easy. During Debbie's last stay in the hospital, she was asked what she was most passionate about in life. Though answering was difficult she shared of her love of singing and Jesus. These things, along with relationships with those closest to her and her heart to serve others, were what truly made-up Debbie and her life.
Debbie was born the 7th out of 9 children, and the last out of six girls. She may have been tiny, but even then she was a chatterbox talking nonstop to her siblings, parents, cats, chickens... Anyone who would listen. She spent the first ten years of her life in New York before moving to Ontario with her family. Debbie had many fond memories of camping at Halliday Lake in Northern Ontario and was able to share her love of camping with George and her kids. After living in Ontario Debbie spent her high school years with her Uncle James and Aunt Erika and their four kids in Lower Burrell Pennsylvania. They became like a second family to her. After she was married, Uncle James and Aunt Erika would visit Debbie, George, and the kids, going camping and visiting with them and George's mom Helen. In her early 20s Debbie spent some time living in Calgary before moving to Winkler to be with her sister Cheri who had moved here in early 81.
It was also due to Cheri that Debbie met George. One day Cheri’s car broke down while she and Debbie were driving on the highway. They were brought back to Cheri’s and she called her wonderful mechanic - George. George and Debbie had their first date in January 1983 and of course they went to rifle club to shoot; she hadn’t shot before, but George showed her the ropes. They were engaged three months later and married on April 21 1984. During one of her hospital stays Debbie shared with Vicki how much she loved George. Debbie loved George's company and the two spent a lot of time singing together and going for cruises in George’s old car. Shortly after they married, they paid off their first tiny house and built their next house on the same yard - Debbie was so proud of the house and really felt like she had a home with George. During their later years together, they developed a routine of singing together and listening to music before bed. Debbie dreamed of retiring with George and spending time outside gardening or sitting by their firepit. Though this type of retirement was not to be, throughout their marriage they were able to do these things many times - taking trips to Pennsylvania, planting their huge garden, going camping and having fires.
God blessed George and Debbie with two children - Victoria born in 1988 and Brian born in 1990. It was very important to Debbie to spend time with her children. As a family they spent many weekends at Icelandic State Park where Debbie was able to share her love for camping. The family enjoyed trips to Pennsylvania, making cream cookies, bike rides around Winkler and having Debbie convince George to let them have a puppy.
Shortly after Debbie moved to Winkler, she became a nurses' aide and worked at the Bethel Hospital for 18 years. Around the same time that George and Debbie bought and moved into George's mom’s house, Debbie decided to make a career change and opened her own home daycare. Debbie ran her daycare for 22 years until her sudden retirement this past November. Over the course of her daycare, she took care of over 200 children, many of whom, along with their parents, became like family. Debbie loved caring for the children, taking the opportunity to love on them as well as teaching them about God's love. She often taught them songs from Sunday School and in later years taught the kids about prayer, praying for those who needed prayer.
Faith was a huge part of Debbie's adult life. Debbie was baptized upon the confession of her faith on March 23 1986. They started attending the Winkler Mennonite Church in 1991 and it was shortly thereafter that Debbie became heavily involved in the Sunday School program for the next 31 years. When Brian was two she started teaching the Sunday School class for 2-3 year olds. She often shared that it was here that she really learned about the Bible and who God was. She did this for many years before switching to leading the Sunday School singing. Debbie loved sharing her love of music with the kids, running Christmas programs and Easter special numbers. Another passion she developed through her church was fundraising for Samaritans Purse. Debbie became very passionate about the shoe boxes, contributing to many boxes filled through her church and her day care. Over the last few years this was something that Debbie felt so strongly about - even developing a sewing group that often sewed for those in need, such as Samaritan’s Purse, Genesis House and for the ladies in the support program at Vicki's work. Debbie knew that God had put this on her heart, and she served him well.
In 2012 George and Debbie became empty nesters, with George's mom moving to Salem, and Brian and Vicki marrying a month apart. They loved this new stage of life and enjoyed the changes in the family. Vicki and Eric were married in July 2012, and Eric was able to build a special connection with Debbie often harassing her and laughing together. Eric always said that Debbie was so kind she would even hug a terrorist. It was through Eric that Debbie was able to experience her first taste of being a grandparent. Eric and Vicki were able to billet for the Winkler Flyers and in the fall of 2018 they welcomed Noah Goertzen into their home. Noah quickly became like family, also developing a relationship with Debbie and George. Even after he moved back home, or further away for hockey and university, he still made a point in visiting them when he was home on break. In 2019 Vicki was able to go with Debbie to her Uncle James' 90th Birthday. While Debbie drove Vicki a bit crazy - they weren't sure both would survive the trip - this was a very special time together, going to visit her family and also sightsee around Washington DC. One of Vicki and Debbie's favorite memories from the trip was getting caught in the pouring rain walking back to their hotel.
Brian and Rina were married in June 2012. Rina was able to connect with Debbie easily, often spending many hours playing Scrabble together. It was in Fall 2020 that Debbie and George were told they were going to be grandparents. Debbie had longed to be a grandma and was so excited. Unfortunately, Alexander was stillborn on November 25 2020. This was a hard year for the family as they had also lost George's mom in April that year. Debbie took these losses hard but leaned on God to give her peace. Prayers were answered and after another complicated pregnancy Brian and Rina were able to have their daughter Rachel Alexis on April 30 2022. Debbie adored being a grandma. She and George were able to visit Rachel in the NICU at HSC, and frequent visits became part of their routine - every Sunday George and Debbie would visit Brian and Rina, but mostly Rachel. So often comments were made about how much Rachel looked like her grandma.
Debbie was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer in November. She faced this diagnosis head on with open eyes. She told Vicki early on how she was ready to meet Jesus and was looking forward to being in Heaven. She often talked about how while she was a bit sad she wouldn't get to see Rachel grow up, she was so excited that while George would get Rachel on Earth, she would get Alexander in Heaven. While Debbie's cancer journey was not easy, she shared that she would not have changed how this all had gone on. Through her cancer she was able to grow closer with her sisters and brother, and she felt strongly that her relationship with God had never been better.
Debbie leaves behind her husband George; daughter Vicki and Eric Sawatzky with Noah Goertzen, and son Brian and Rina Doell with granddaughter Rachel. She also leaves behind her Uncle James and Aunt Erika, five sisters, three brothers, a brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and their families. Debbie was predeceased by her parents, her in-laws, and her grandson Alexander.
The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to all of the medical staff that walked alongside the family during Debbie's cancer journey, especially Dr Dhala, Dr Gacutan, the nurses and social worker through Cancer Care, the nurses in the Palliative Care Program, her homecare workers and the amazing nursing staff on the medical ward. We would also like to extend our thanks to all Debbie's family, friends and church family who took time to be with her and serve her and the family, whether through visits, food or prayer or whatever else was needed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritans Purse: Shoeboxes in Debbie’s honor.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11
“Behold, I will do a new thing. See, I have already begun! I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19