Deborah Anne Smith
10/08/1956 ~ 08/08/2023
Beloved wife of Jim,
loving and loved mother of Daniel and Jared,
mother-in-law of Joanne and Chloe.
A devoted nan-nan to Charlotte and Abigail.
A generous spirit with a loving, loyal, and courageous heart.
Rest in Peace
Family and Friends are invited to
Celebrate the Life of Deborah
at Ballara Receptions, 1435 Main Road, Eltham
on Friday August 18th, 2023
commencing at 11am.
Private Cremation
12 Tributes
Jo Smith
To our Mum & Nan Nan
It’s time to fly high you fought with all you had to stay with us as long as you could.
You did everything with such grace and love and not a day will go by that you’re not in our thoughts and hearts.
For now our memories and the love we shared will be forever cherished. 🌹🌹🌹All our love today, tomorrow and always Your loving son Daniel, Daughter in Law Joanne and Granddaughters Charlotte and Abigail. 🌹🌹🌹
Judy and Ken Tullberg
Debbie leaves a chasm in our lives. With her vivacity and wit she enriched the short time we knew her; as a caring and helpful neighbour then friend . Much of our time with Debbie was during Covid and our “soirées” as she tagged them were unforgettable and laugh filled. During her long final struggle she was destined to lose, Debbie was courageous and optimistic. Our constant memory of her will, after grief, keep us smiling. Judy and Ken
Sue Wilson
To Our Most Beautiful Friend
Debbie, you were and always will be, a true lady! You were generous, beautiful, funny, fun, caring, loving, honest, intelligent and most importantly, a true friend.
Over the past 20 plus years you became one of my closest friends, who I treasured and valued and loved. You have always been there for me, through thick and thin and I will remember all our wonderful times.
Together the four of us enjoyed the most amazing times together. So many New Years Eves, regular dinners, celebrations including 40ths, 50ths, 60ths, 70ths, our wedding where you witnessed our marriage and so many more.
My favourite memories will always be our many trips away to the wineries. From Beechworth to McLaren Vale, Barossa and the Clare Valley where we had such amazing times together and such quality time. We had as much fun in the car, pointing out the different vines (we had our own crazy names for all of these), as we did tasting the wines, enjoying meals, talking all day and night. McLaren Vale will never be the same without you.
Debbie, you fought as hard as you could, with such grace. You will never be forgotten and always in our hearts.
Much love always, Sue and Greg
Kim & Vic Bradshaw
To our dearest Debbie,
It was with profound sadness that Vic and I learnt of your passing.
To Jim, our heartfelt condolences go out to you and the family.
When sadness fills your heart and memories of the beautiful Debbie come crashing forth as waves upon a seashore, know that we will always be close at hand to comfort you.
Debbie, Vic and I are truly blessed, to have had met you and Jim, along life’s journey – may you rest in peace beautiful.
All our love Kim & Vic xxx
Linda Forteath
Linda & Bernard Forteath
It was with great sadness that we learned of Debbie’s passing. She leaves us with many wonderful memories of a lady so full of fun, love and laughter. A devilish sense of humour which kept us all on our toes. Visits to wineries, and to Dan’s, where Debbie kept us on the right path, she knew what she liked! She introduced us to cruising and we have fond memories of our trip to France and our Mediterranean cruise where she made sure the ‘boys’ didn’t eat too many hot dogs or cream cakes! She made us very welcome on every visit and we were treated as members of the family. She even did Bernard’s ironing! That was Debbie, nothing too much bother for her. We had our best Easter ever in Halifax Avenue, Debbie making sure we had a surfeit of Easter eggs! A wonderful hostess. Like all who knew her we will miss her terribly.
May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.
With love from Linda and Bernard.
Waikay
Hi Debbie,
It wasn’t that long ago you, Jim and I were having a drink in Southbank Brisbane. We talked of all great things we will do in retirement and places in Qld we will visit each year you guys came back. We promised to do it again every year. Then covid came and now, perhaps we missed our chance; in this life.
I once heard that we are sad for those who journey on before us because a part of us also dies with you. And where ever you maybe, we are all there keeping you company and you will never be alone.
I like to think that drink awaits us, and we will meet again in time to come.
Till our next drink, Debbie ……
Brian and Rae Remeeus
Debbie
What a privilege it has been to have such a kind and beautiful friend
Our past 20 years were filled with fun and laughter which created wonderful memories of our times together at movies, coffees, dinners, live shows and chatting about our grandchildren that will never be forgotten.
our deepest sympathy to Jim, Daniel, Jared and respective families
until we meet again
Mira Antoniou
It was with great sadness and shock when I learnt of Debbie passing away. Debbie and I go back 40 + years as Jim’s wife when Jim and I were studying at Swinburne , doing our homework at their home in Hawthorn.
Debbie was a gorgeous, warm, graceful and stylish woman who always liked a laugh. I remember her as a wonderful, loving mother with Daniel holding onto her skirt in the kitchen one night.
Over the years through Jim, I always thought that Debbie was the solid rock behind him; keeping him in line to not work himself to death and planning for their retirement with no ducks or chickens on their property. What a woman!! I saw them as a role model couple , partners in crime working together in life with love, respect and care for each other.
I am so so sorry for the gaping hole the loss of Debbie will leave for my dear friend Jim, the boys and others.
As the Greeks say I wish for Debbie to go to a good place. 🙏
My sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to Jim, Daniel, Jared and family.
Ζωή σε μας. ( life to us) All my love Mira xx
Graham and Margaret Johns
Dear Debbie
From the first time we met you in London, at the start of our UK tour, we loved your friendly, bubbly personality. We feel privileged that we knew you in our life. You were truly one of the beautiful people in this world. We will always remember you with love in our hearts.
God be with you
Marg and Graham
Frans and Ami Hillege
Dear Debbie,
A warm, kind and all round beautiful friend. Always kind. We are so pleased we had the joy of many happy times together.
Always will be remembered with love.
Our deepest condolences to you Jim, Daniel, Jared and your families as you navigate a new world without Deb.
Much love.
Frans & Ami
Harriet Whiley
Dear Jim,
I am thinking of you and your family during this incredibly tough time. Debbie was a warm and kind person and it was a joy to spend time with her. I know she will be truly missed. Sending you all my love.
Harriet
Melinda Chapman
Dear Jim,
It was such a shock to hear of Debbie’s passing and I was overwhelmed with sadness knowing how close you both were and what a gaping hole her passing would leave in your life. It was a pleasure to have known her and I greatly appreciate the important role she played in our business at the time. Jaclyn, Simon and I are thinking of you at this very sad time and send our love.