Obituary of Debra Dyck-Tollefson

Debra Elaine Dyck-Tollefson We are deeply saddened by the passing of Debra Tollefson in the early morning of October 4, 2014. With her husband at her side and after battling breast cancer for 13 years with such strength and Deb's unshakable dignity and grace, Debbie passed peacefully in her sleep at the age of 59. She will be remembered and deeply missed by her husband of 26 years David Tollefson and their three children Taylor, Barrett and Nicole who she loved and for who she was so immensely proud. Deb was preceded in death by her father David Dyck and will be lovingly remembered by her mother Doris Dyck, sister Barb and her husband Ralph Daly, along with many nieces and nephews who she so dearly loved. Deb was blessed with a large extended family and a great number of friends who will also cherish in memory their relationship with Deb. Particularly close were bother-in-law and sister-in-law Dean and Janice Tollefson along with mother-in-law Doris Tollefson who Deb always said treated and loved her like a daughter and sister and never like in-laws. Born and raised in Calgary Alberta, Debra made her way to Toronto in her early 20's where she established herself as an accomplished executive in the women's fashion retail industry. Debbie's last two challenges were the leading of significant and successful business turn-arounds, serving as the President of two different national retail chains. Debbie's tremendous flare for style and fashion also produced stunning gardens around the two homes owned by her and her husband. Her ability to see and create eloquence was found everywhere inside her home; through every major renovation or the simplicity of her décor, she turned her house into a home that became the central hub for her friends and for the friends of her children. More important to Deb than anything else were the relationships she enjoyed in her life. Her children were everything to Deb. They were the first ones she thought about every morning and you can bet that they would have been the ones on her mind when she closed her eyes that last time. The outpouring of love and support that we as a family have received is a true testament to the depth and quality of friendship that Deb enjoyed with so many. Deb was not a friend that simply enjoyed her relationships but was one who constantly invested her self and all she had into them. If you called Debbie a friend then you knew that there was nothing that Deb would not do for you. She was a ton of fun to be around, interested in what you were interested in, committed to the things that were important to you and intensely loyal. Debbie's friends, whether they were established as young kids or in later years at work, in her neighborhood or social circles, will tell you that Deb couldn't have been any better a friend than she was and that their love for her was endless. Important to note was Debbie's love for God. Her personal relationship with Jesus was reflected in the way she lived out her life, the love she showed others and every expression of the Christ-like character she strove to embody. That relationship gave Debbie a great joy that ran deep, sustained her and helped her find a significance and purpose that was woven through the tapestry of her life. She found in her relationship with Christ a tremendous strength to face every challenge and in the end, a peace that made no sense given her circumstances. Debbie loved and was loved. She will be missed but never forgotten.