Mighton Funeral Home LTD.
Funerals, Cremations & Life Celebrations
40 Years of Trusted Care
Ayton, Durham, Elmwood, Chesley and surrounding areas since 1984.
Debora Joanne (nee Schmidt) Gray, passed away peacefully in her home beside Lake Rosalind on Sunday, September 15th, 2024, surrounded by family and friends.
She leaves behind her husband of 47 years, Bob, two sons Andrew and Matthew, daughters-in-law Juliet and Michelle, two grandchildren Jun and Harry, and her brother Bud.
Debbie was born in Hanover, Ontario, January 7th, 1953 to Elmer and Mary (nee Swinghammer) Schmidt. She grew up spending her summers at Lake Rosalind with her brother Bud and friends. Debbie graduated from JDSS, going on to Wilfred Laurier University, and later the Althouse College for Teachers. She would return to Hanover to be an educator at Dawnview elementary and surrounding schools. Debbie remained a lifelong resident of Hanover and an active community member. She leaves behind not only her loving family, but an entire community of close friendships cultivated from decades of long conversations on the phone, sitting for coffee, taking walks, sharing dinners, and traveling with friends and family. Her community remains close, having provided love, warmth, and support into her final days.
A Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, September 20th, 2024, from 4-7 pm, at Mighton Funeral Home, Hanover. A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 21st, 2024, at 11 am, at St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Hanover. An Inurnment Service will be held at a later date in Hanover Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Hanover and District Hospital Foundation (https://www.hdhf.ca/donate.html) would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Bob sorry to hear of the loss of Deb. Memories of you both on the visit in Hanover when Andrew was a baby.
Nadine Lamothe
Our heartfelt condolences.
- Bob and Regina GrahamBob and family, Our deepest sympathy on the loss of Debora. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours at this sad time.
- DENNIS AND DIANNE DOSMANBob, Andrew and Matt
So sorry to hear of Deb's passing. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Tom and Dale Traversy
My heartfelt condolences to the family.
- ShellyWith heartfelt sympathy to Bob and family on the passing of Deb. My thoughts are with you. Gary Yost
- Gary YostBob. So sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers to you in your days ahead. My sincere condolences
- Dana FaberBob and family. So sorry to hear of Deb's passing. She will be truly missed by all of you. Peace and love. Gary and Bev Hooper.
- Bev and Gary HooperDebbie has a special place in my heart because when she was a baby I often spent evenings baby sitting her while her Mom and Dad (Mary and Elmer) were out for the evening. This is when they lived in the apartment above the store. We send our sincere sympathy to her entire family.
- Glenna (nee Kreutzkamp) and Herb BergerDear Bob, I'm so sorry to hear of Deb`s passing. Sending my heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
- Pierre DoyleBob, Andrew, Matthew and families, you have our deepest sympathy on the death of Debbie. She was a very kind person. I (Jackie) have good memories of playing with her, birthday parties, etc. as a child. Thinking of all of you and keeping you in our prayers now and in the days ahead.
- Allan and Jackie PenfoldBob and family,
We are sorry for your loss.
Bob, Andrew, Mathew and families sending our condolences on the passing of Deb. May the cherished memories of your time together comfort you in the days ahead.
- Keith and Marg WettlauferBob, Matt, Andrew and Bud. Please accept our condolences on your loss. Although I didn't know Deb well she was always kind and greeted me with a smile. She will live on in your many memories. Glenna and Rob Jones
- Glenna JonesBob and family,
We were saddened to hear of Debbie's passing. Our condolences to you and your family on your tremendous loss.
Brian and Karen MacTavish
Dear Bob and family, So very sorry for your loss. Deb was such a quiet , kind and thoughtful lady. I always enjoyed meeting up with her from time to time in the grocery store where we would β catch up β with each others family members. Our deepest condolences. May her memory be a blessing.
Peter and Jeanette Fabricius
Dear Bob, Andrew, Matthew and families,
Deepest Sympathy for the loss of your beautiful wife and mother. I will always remember Deb's gentle and striking blue eyes and her input and amusement in a group of friends having fun together.
We are very sorry for your loss.
Maggie and Bruce Edington
Dear Bob, Andrew, Matthew and families,
Deepest Sympathy for the loss of your beautiful wife and mother. I will always remember Deb's gentle and striking blue eyes and her input and amusement in a group of friends having fun together.
We are very sorry for your loss.
Maggie and Bruce Edington
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Bob, Andrew, Matt and all who loved Deb, at this very sad time.
I will remember Deb as a gentle, soft spoken and kind lady who was always encouraging to those around her. You have run a good race, rest in peace π
Bob
Cindy and I were deeply saddened to learn of Deb's passing .
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this incredibly difficult time .
Don Schenk and Cindy Grant
Our greatest sympathies to you - Bob, Andrew and Matt- and your families. We fondly remember our time as neighbours on 2nd Street Cres. We hope that these fond memories will give your some solace. Your wife/ Mom was a lovely person who loved you, enjoyed watching you in your sports, lived a very active and social lifestyle and who always had time for a chat. Rest in peace, Deb.
- Rob Thomas, Jacqui Traverse-Thomas, Rhys Thomas, and Chas ThomasOur deepest condolences to you and your family.
The Decor-Rest Team
Bob Our sincere condolences to you and your family.
- Schreiterβs FurnitureBob I found out about your wife from Darlene Kennedy and wanted to pass on my condolences to you and your family
I understand she was a compassionate and kind person and will be sadly missed
Kent
Bob and family you have my deepest symphony, sorry to hear about Debbie passed away , she was very sweet person, family and friends will miss her dearly ,
ππ»π’π LillianPanos .
Dear Bob, our sincere sympathy goes out to you and your family. What a huge hole in your life Deb leaves. We hope that cherished memories will support you in the days ahead. We have fond memories of wonderful dinners at the lake with you and Deb and the amazing time we had at the Abruzzo villa. Deb always had a warm smile, a positive attitude and a sense of adventure. We'll miss her a lot but we her spirit can always be found at Lake Rosalind.
- Connie & Vic CoteAl and I send our sincerest condolences to your family Bob. Debbie was always there with a smile and a kind word. She will be missed!
- Kathleen CrawfordDear Bob
We are very saddened to hear of Deb's passing. Please know your whole family is in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. Blessings to you all π
Rob and Sherry
Bob and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Jackie Hilker
Dear Bob, so sorry to hear of your wife`s passing. Sincerest condolences to you and your family. God bless.
- Donna BertrandDear Bob and family
Our heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family during this very difficult time. We are so grateful that we were able to visit with you and Debbie when we did.
Please know how much you are in our hearts.
Luciana and Murray
Bob and Family,
We are so saddened to hear of Deb's passing. Our deepest condolences to you all.
Gary and Mary Ellen Thorne
Bob, Andrew, Matt and families,
We are so sorry to learn of your tremendous loss. Our hope is that your minds are flooded with many happy memories of times spent together with your wife and mother even as you grieve.
Deb was a dear friend for many years to me.. Deb was a very warm, thoughtful and kind next door neighbour. I cherish her friendship and l know Allan would have said the same as he taught Deb. Sadly he died in February. .
My sympathy to the Gray family.
Bob:
Sorry to hear of Deb's passing. You must be strong at this time. I know there is nothing I can say that will make you feel better. Just remember the good times.
To Bob and Family. Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your Life Partner Deb, and Mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We wish you peace in knowing that her suffering is now over.
- Larry LantzDear Bob and family:
We were so sorry to hear of Deb's passing. She was such a kind and caring person. Thinking of you all at this time. Cherish your memories.
Bob, Andrew, Matthew and families. Our sincere condolences on Deb's passing. Fond memories of Deb as a quite friendly neighbour when we lived on 2nd St Cres. Our thoughts are with all of you, cherish the memories! Heather and Tom Arnott
- Heather and Tom ArnottDear Bob, Matt, Bud, and Family,
Jan and I would like to offer our sincere condolences. Neither of us knew Deb well, but every interaction we shared was always enjoyable.
We must apologize for not being able to attend Deb's service, but we have a previous engagement this weekend for our 50th anniversary. Please know we will be there in spirit.
Sincerely,
Bob and Jan.
Sending condolences to your family during this time of immense loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
- Angela Karn SimsDear Bob and family
so sorry about Deb, she was an awesome person.Thinking of you during this time of loss.
Lee and Bryan Fawcett
We are saddened to hear of Deb's death. Please accept our sincere condolences during this difficult time. We hope the many happy memories your family has had over the years will be of comfort to you all.
- Tim and Mary NorwoodDear Bob , Andrew and Matthew,
We are so sorry for your loss .
Our deepest condolences,
Ed , Fern and Nancy Peppler
So sorry to hear of Debbie's passing. I always remember how soft spoken and kind she was.
Gone way too soon but suffering no more.
She will remain in the lives of those who loved her through the wonderful memories she gave them. We were all blessed to have known you.
R.I.P. sweet lady. π"
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you all, so sorry for your loss. Debbie was such a beautiful person and will be missed by all that knew her.
- Heidi & Kevin SchausBob, my heart felt condolences to you and your family. It was a privilege to have worked with you and your family and got to know how wonderful your family is. Deb will definitely be missed. I wish you all the best!
- Dan McCannI am so sorry to hear of Deb's passing. She was a lovely lady and will be missed in this community. I am sorry I will not be able to celebrate her life on Saturday with everyone, but sending love to Bob, Andrew, Matthew, Bud and Grand Children.
Bev Terry
Our condolences to the family during this difficult time. We always enjoyed spending days vacationing with Bob, Debora and the kids. Debora was such a beautiful, kind soul. Our thoughts are with the family as they process this loss. ππ»β€οΈ
- Natalie and Mike JamesBob and family,
So sorry for your loss! Deb was such a kind and thoughtful person! All of these condolences reflect how she touched the hearts of people she met! Hope you find comfort in the memories you made together!
Phil and Vicki (Budd) Smith
So sorry to hear of Debbie's passing. I always remember how soft spoken and kind she was.
Gone way too soon but suffering no more.
She will remain in the lives of those who loved her through the wonderful memories she gave them. We were all blessed to have known you.
R.I.P. sweet lady. π"
