Obituary of Debbie Burley

In loving memory of Debra Jane Burley, passed away in her sleep at the age of 59 on Saturday, November 12, 2016 in her home in Perth Road Village, Ontario. Debbie was born on July 5, 1957 in Montreal to Lorne and Vera McCubbin (nee Mathews). She was born a spirited child and developed life long friendships at an early age, especially in Otterburn, Quebec. People were drawn to Debbie’s fun-loving, caring nature, and she always enjoyed a good prank at someone else’s expense (usually her siblings). She had a true gift at listening, asking the right questions and being there for her friends. She especially identified, and fought for the underdog. She loved all little things, miniatures, angels, the mystical. She dedicated herself to needlepoint, the most difficult, tiniest stitches with a grid map and gave her art away as gifts. Debbie worked as a secretary for different corporations in the eighties, and after the early years of raising her three children, she went on to be a hard working employee at the LCBO. She was a “supermom” before the term was popular. In 1988 the family was changed forever when her youngest daughter Danielle was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. The whole family rallied and Deb did everything she could to save her daughter’s life. Losing Danielle irrevocably altered Debbie forever. In 2000 Debbie and Don Burley moved to the country east of Kingston to live on Sydenham Lake. It brought her endless joy to explore her surroundings, swimming and fishing in the lake with her dogs, long walks in the forest and living close to Jill and Rick. In her 50’s Debbie became a devoted Nanna and lived to talk, visit and spoil her grandchildren. To stay with Nanna was a mix of candy, adventure, nature and laughs. Despite having a failed back surgery and being in pain, Debbie’s spirit prevailed and she continued to swim and immerse herself in nature, her gardens and fish pond. Debbie is survived by her common-law partner Don Murphy, and their dog Samson. Her children Genieve Burley (Beau Howes) and Jay Burley (Ashley Roth), her grandchildren Rhys and Shyloh Howes and Willa Burley. Her sister Jill McCubbin-Clare (Tom Clare), brother Rick McCubbin (Alison Mann) and her niece Morgan Clare. All of the Burleys, Campbells, Mathews, Garlands, Cassidys, Kristjanssons, friends and family around the world. Debbie is pre-deceased by her daughter Danielle, her step-father Fred Kristjansson, her parents Lorne and Vera McCubbin, in-laws Harold and Kathleen Burley and her beloved animals Sabre, Jasa, Bear, Nala and Alley. We welcome all friends to celebrate Debbie’s life at Emmanuel United Church, 63 Factory Street, Odessa on Sunday, November 20th, 2016 from 1-2 pm. A Memorial Service will follow at 2 pm. A Reception will follow the service. We are also welcoming donations to CHEO for their pediatric oncology department with this link provided: https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=3641594&langPref=en-CA Arrangements entrusted to the Paul G. Payne Funeral Home, 178 Main Street, Odessa. 613-386-7373. Online condolences at www.paynefuneralhome.com