DEBORAH LYNNE CATHLEEN BATTIGELLI

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DEBORAH LYNNE CATHLEEN BATTIGELLI June 17, 1957 - November 28, 2015 It is only now, after a year since her passing, that our broken hearts can begin healing in the comfort knowing that Deborah was honoured by a well lived life; and that her love will be with us forever. An outdoor adventurer who embraced every element of nature, Deb cherished her family and friends, and celebrated all that life has to offer - including the magical times she shared with her niece and nephew, Breanne and Robert, as they grew up. Whether she was conquering the mountains as a volunteer Lake Louise Ski-Friend, or navigating the lake country at her Ingolf family cabin; the many facets of her personality shone through Generous - Kind - Competitive - Witty - Fiercefully Loyal - Encouraging - Trusting - Highly Principled - Creative - Innovative - Insightful - Honorable - Loving - and Endlessly Giving. A well rounded woman whose life was never dull she enjoyed designing and sewing dresses to celebrate special occasions with her life-long friends and family - only to quickly change into self-patched work clothes to repair her Volkswagen, bike or old family boat and motor - then to step into a bright orange dry-suit to tackle the waves on her windsurfer. She never viewed anything in life as a problem - only as an opportunity. She was a loving compassionate irreplaceable woman whose presence lit the room with positive joyous energy. She always believed in working hard, yet understood the importance of leaving "a little" time to play hard. She was accomplished in her own right and displayed a fierce sense of independence and determination. Deb grew up in Winnipeg and spent weekends and summers at a very special place where, for four generations, a sense of family was strengthened and many unforgettable memories were made at her family cabin at Ingolf, Ontario. After graduating from the U of M, her love of the outdoors took her out west where she first worked at Sunshine Village, then in human resources in Calgary, and most recently at the Calgary International Airport where she was able to fulfill her adventurous spirit by travelling to see her family at Ingolf and in Yuma, Arizona. Deborah formed many close ties with her work colleagues, who upon hearing of her sudden passing of a brain aneurysm, hosted a "Celebration of Life" service at the Calgary airport which we attended. Deb is survived by her beloved mother, Betty; best friends, sister, Colleen, and brother-in-law Garry; adored Godchildren (and niece and nephew), Breanne and Robert; Uncle Dennis; and cousins Jeff, Janet, Tom, Ted, and Lauralou and their families; and many, many, special life-long friends. We, her family, have a hole in our heart and have been lost without her but find comfort in our belief that she is finally united with God; her father, Bob, who passed away a few years ago; and the rest of her family and friends who predeceased her. We honor her love of life at the lake by developing a research grant in her name with the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation to preserve the lake area for future generations to continue to enjoy what she loved.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 03, 2016