DEBORAH (DEBBIE) ANN SPENCE

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DEBORAH (DEBBIE) ANN SPENCE It is with the deepest regret that we announce the sudden passing of Deborah Ann Spence (Debbie) on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at the age of 65 in her home in Winnipeg. She is survived by her two sons, Don Fata and Mike Fata; grandchildren, Roan Fata, Rain Fata and Bella Fata; sisters, Kathleen Bridge, Susan Spence, Nancy Strey, Corinne Sullivan, Colleen Gorenki and Maureen Spence; mother Catherine Spence; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her brother Jack Spence and father John Spence. Debbie was born September 1, 1953 in Timmins, Ontario. She grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where she had a love for music and taking care of her seven younger siblings. She graduated from Hill Crest Highschool in 1971 and was an award-winning pianist in her teenage years. She entered the workforce as a cashier at A&P at the age of 16. She had a love for math and quickly focused her career in the field of accounting. Starting out as an accounting clerk at Crooks Pharmacy, she went on to work for Shoppers Drug Mart for over 25 years, as Corporate Controller first in Thunder Bay, then transferring to Winnipeg. Debbie was a passionate learner. She had the ability to quickly become a subject matter expert and did so across the field of accounting and consumer product retail sales. The last 10 years of her career were spent working directly with her two sons' businesses, where as a Senior Finance Executive she helped build Pristine Renovations and Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods into the successes they are today. Debbie was a super intelligent, kind and loving soul who tried to help everyone around her with "a hand up". She was an outstanding model of how hard work and discipline, along with caring and thoughtful relationships, can move mountains. In her personal time, Debbie was an independent and private family first kind of lady. She enjoyed spending time with her two boys, and her three grandchildren playing games and enjoying family dinners. She loved reuniting with and keeping the family spirit strong with her six sisters. Debbie was a voracious reader and was known to devour three to four books a week (or more), for most of her adult life. She also became fascinated by family history and for years worked on researching and mapping out the full family tree of her ancestors. Debbie also loved to bake, and routinely spent the weekend creating delicious baked goods that she loved to share with people close to her. Debbie will be so dearly missed by all of those who knew and loved her. A Celebration of Life for Debbie will be held in Winnipeg on Saturday, May 11, 2019. Please contact the family for details. The Deborah Ann Spence Memorial Fund will be established with a focus on supporting scholarships for single mothers, specializing in the field of accounting, that are looking to further their education. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the fund at or after Debbie's Celebration of Life. Condolences may be sent to www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 30, 2019