Deborah Ann Honor Hartley

It is with an overwhelming sense of sadness that we announce the departure from our world of our beloved wife, daughter, mother, sister and grandmother, Deborah (Deb) Ann Honor Hartley. She left us as she lived life with grace, dignity and toughness. Deb was suddenly afflicted with a very rare and aggressive vascular cancer, which took her all too quickly. Deb was born the daughter of Edward (Ed) and Isabel (Belle) Hartley in Ottawa, Ontario, on November 22, 1959. Deb grew up in Ottawa and came to the west coast as a young woman, where she settled on Salt Spring Island. It was on Salt Spring Island where she met her husband Christopher Haas and together they raised Deb's children Julian and Jasmine. She was also "pseudo" mum to Christopher's child Melaina. When she was 40, Deb was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, but never let this stand in the way of her many activities and pursuits. She was an avid gardener, with an outstanding collection of cactuses. She also loved jewellry making, and would collect semi precious stones from her travels and turn them into adornments for herself and friends. Exploring far corners of the world as well as travelling our great country were also passions of hers. Baking was also one of her outstanding talents. It was once said by a relative that "I would eat dirt in one of her pie crusts". She packed a lot a lot of living into a life that was cut far too short. Deb was predeceased by her father Edward and is survived by her mother Belle, husband Chris, children Julian and Jasmine, "pseudo" child Melaina, granddaughter Georgia, and brother Mike. Her parting words to family members was always "remember you are loved". Her love will never be forgotten. Please consider participating in any of the worthwhile events or activities dedicated to cancer research, or donating directly to help end this scourge.