DEBORAH ANN WATSON

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DEBORAH ANN WATSON

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Deborah (Debbie) Ann Watson (nee Phillips) on May 19, 2026 at the young age of 72, a mere five days after her birthday.

She will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her husband Alexander (Sandy); sons, Rob and Andrew; sister Dawn; and grand dawg Bella. Deborah was predeceased by her parents, Robert (Bob) and Joan Phillips.

Born in Alberta on May 14, 1954, her Dad was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force and had many postings across Canada and in London, England. For Deborah and her sister, I believe Air Force brats is the term, this meant living five years here, five years there. While living in Ottawa, Debbie became good friends with Marjie, Helen, and Diane Watson who happened to be Sandy’s cousins. This connection eventually led to Debbie meeting Sandy in Winnipeg.

When they first met, Deborah was a teller at a bank. Once married, she went to RRCC and graduated from the Medical Laboratory Technology (NOT Technician!!) program in 1980. She found her niche in the Immunohistochemistry laboratory where she was an integral and valued team member helping usher in many innovative technologies. Deb’s kind, graceful and generous nature garnered her many life-long friends.

Debbie led an active life, and enjoyed running. curling, golfing, downhill and cross country skiing, and canoeing. She loved nature, gardening and her many pets over the years. She took in Goldeyes games and attended the Symphony with her Dad and Dawn for many years. Debbie was very active in International Training in Communication, a group for Public Speaking. She was also an active member of St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church until the illness prevented her from living the life she wanted.

Our family would like to offer our gratitude and thank the staff at Victoria Hospital for making caring for Deborah at home for the past five and a half years possible. The caregivers we have known over the years, the WRHA, Palliative Care, her doctors and home dental have all contributed to keeping Deborah as comfortable as possible and in her home. We are also grateful to her many friends whose visits always seemed to brighten her day.

A service is scheduled for Friday June 12, 2026 for 11:00 am at St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church, 881 Autumnwood Drive, Winnipeg MB. Cremation has taken place, with a small family gathering being arranged to intern her ashes at a later date.

A Celebration of Life will be held September 25, 2026, location not yet decided.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church or to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, who have helped us along the way.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 06, 2026